,,ii  #aafth ,,congress  #ast ,session  
,s4 #baih  ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of     
,,the ,,united ,,states  ,july #bb1     
#bjai ,mr4 ,inhofe 7for himself and ,mr4
 ,king7 introduced the following bill2  
which was read twice and referred to the
 ,committee on ,finance  ,a ,,bill  ,to 
promote the launch of aviation's next   
era4  #a4 ,short title2 table of        
contents2 definition of ,administrator  
7a7 ,short title  ,this ,act may be     
cited as the ,promoting the ,launch of  
,aviation's ,next ,era ,act of #bjai or 
the ,,plane ,act of #bjai4  7b7 ,table  
of contents ,the table of contents of   
this ,act is as follows3  ,sec4 #a4     
,short title2 table of contents2        
definition of ,administrator4 ,title    
,i--,fairness for ,pilots ,sec4 #aja4   
,expansion of ,pilot's ,bill of ,rights4
 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,enhancing protections for 
the aviation community4 ,sec4 #ajc4     
,limitations on reexamination of        
certificate holders4 ,sec4 #ajd4        
,aviation rulemaking and exemption      

petition due process4 ,sec4 #aje4       
,timely resolution of investigations4   
,title ,,ii--,forward ,looking          
,investment in ,general ,aviation1      
,hangars1 and ,tarmacs 7,,flight ,act7  
,sec4 #bja4 ,establishment of           
public-private partnership program at   
general aviation airports4 ,sec4 #bjb4  
,general aviation airport entitlement   
reform4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,disaster relief    
airports4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,airport          
development relating to disaster relief4
 ,sec4 #bje4 ,funding for projects as   
disaster relief airports4 ,sec4 #bjf4   
,revision of automated weather observing
 systems 7,,awos7 policy4 ,title        
,,iii--,securing and ,revitalizing      
,aviation 7,,sara ,act7 ,sec4 #cja4     
,limitation of liability for certain    
individuals designated as               
representatives of the ,federal         
,aviation ,administration4 ,title       
,,iv--,air ,traffic ,controller ,reforms
 ,sec4 #dja4 ,federal ,aviation         
,administration ,academy4 ,sec4 #djb4   

,practical experience for air traffic   
controllers4 ,title ,v--,aviation ,fuel 
,taxes ,sec4 #eja4 ,treatment of fuel   
for use in aviation4 ,title             
,,vi--,voluntary ,surrender of ,repair  
,station ,certificate ,sec4 #fja4       
,revision of certain regulations        
relating to repair station certificates4
  7c7 ,definition of ,administrator ,in 
this ,act1 the term ,administrator means
 the ,administrator of the ,federal     
,aviation ,administration4  ,i ,fairness
 for ,pilots  #aja4 ,expansion of       
,pilot's ,bill of ,rights  7a7 ,appeals 
of suspended and revoked airman         
certificates ,section #b7;d77#a7 of the 
,pilot's ,bill of ,rights 7,public ,law 
#aab-aec2 #abf ,stat4 #aaei2 #di        
,u4,s4,c4 #ddgjc note7 is amended by    
striking or imposing a punitive civil   
action or an emergency order of         
revocation under subsections 7d7 and 7e7
 of section #ddgji of such title and    
inserting suspending or revoking an     
airman certificate under section        

#ddgji7;d7 of such title1 or imposing an
 emergency order of revocation under    
subsections 7d7 and 7e7 of section      
#ddgji of such title4  7b7 ,de novo     
review by district court2 burden of     
proof ,section #b7;e7 of the ,pilot's   
,bill of ,rights 7,public ,law #aab-aec2
 #abf ,stat4 #aaei2 #di ,u4,s4,c4 #ddgjc
 note7 is amended--  7#a7 by amending   
paragraph 7#a7 to read as follows3  7#a7
 ,in general ,in an appeal filed under  
subsection 7d7 in a ,united ,states     
district court with respect to a denial1
 suspension1 or revocation of an airman 
certificate by the ,administrator--     
7,a7 the district court shall review the
 denial1 suspension1 or revocation de   
novo1 including by-- 7i7 conducting a   
full independent review of the complete 
administrative record of the denial1    
suspension1 or revocation2  7ii7        
permitting additional discovery and the 
taking of additional evidence2 and      
7iii7 making the findings of fact and   
conclusions of law required by ,rule #eb

 of the ,federal ,rules of ,civil       
,procedure without being bound to any   
findings of fact of the ,administrator  
or the ,national ,transportation ,safety
 ,board4  2  7#b7 by redesignating      
paragraph 7#b7 as paragraph 7#c72 and   
7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7  
the following3  7#b7 ,burden of proof   
,in an appeal filed under subsection 7d7
 in a ,united ,states district court    
after an exhaustion of administrative   
remedies1 the burden of proof shall be  
as follows3  7,a7 ,in an appeal of the  
denial of an application for the        
issuance or renewal of an airman        
certificate under section #ddgjc of     
title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 the   
burden of proof shall be upon the       
applicant denied an airman certificate  
by the ,administrator4  7,b7 ,in an     
appeal of an order issued by the        
,administrator under section #ddgji of  
title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 the   
burden of proof shall be upon the       
,administrator4  2 and  7#d7 by adding  

at the end the following3  7#d7         
,applicability of administrative        
procedure act ,notwithstanding paragraph
 7#a77;,a7 of this subsection or        
subsection 7a77#a7 of section #eed of   
title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 section
 #eed of such title shall apply to      
adjudications of the ,administrator and 
the ,national ,transportation ,safety   
,board to the same extent as that       
section applied to such adjudications   
before the date of enactment of the     
,promoting the ,launch of ,aviation's   
,next ,era ,act of #bjai4  4  #ajb4     
,enhancing protections for the aviation 
community  7a7 ,,ntsb review of         
application for airman certificate      
,section #ddgjc7;d7 of title #di1       
,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7
 by redesignating paragraphs 7#b7 and   
7#c7 as paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d71       
respectively2 and  7#b7 by inserting    
after paragraph 7#a71 the following new 
paragraph3  7#b7 ,,ntsb review  7,a7 ,in
 general ,in the case of an application 

for the issuance of an airman medical   
certificate1 the ,national              
,transportation ,safety ,board may      
review a denial that may not be         
considered a final denial by the        
,administrator when the ,administrator  
has twice reconsidered the application  
and sustained a previous denial on that 
application4  7,b7 ,deemed denial ,the  
,administrator's failure to rule upon a 
request for reconsideration of the      
denial of issuance of an airman medical 
certificate within #fj days of the date 
on which the application to reconsider  
is submitted to the ,administrator shall
 be deemed to be a denial of the        
application4  4  7b7 ,voluntary         
surrender of an airman medical          
certificate ,section #ddgjc of title    
#di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended  
by adding at the end the following new  
subsection3  7l7 ,voluntary surrender of
 an airman medical certificate ,an      
airman may voluntarily surrender an     
airman medical certificate issued under 

this section for cancellation at any    
time1 unless the certificate is subject 
to a ,federal ,aviation ,administration 
order of suspension or revocation at the
 time of the voluntary surrender4  4    
7c7 ,appeals ,section #ddgjc7;d77#a7 of 
title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is    
amended by striking hold a certificate  
that and all that follows through the   
period and inserting holds a certificate
 that is suspended at the time of       
denial44  7d7 ,reapplications ,section  
#ddgji of title #di1 ,united ,states    
,code1 is amended--  7#a7 by            
redesignating subsection 7f7 as         
subsection 7g72 and  7#b7 by inserting  
after subsection 7e71 the following new 
subsection3  7f7 ,reapplications ,except
 as provided in section #ddgaj1 any     
person whose certificate has been       
revoked by an order of the              
,administrator or the ,national         
,transportation ,safety ,board may      
reapply for a certificate at any time   
following the revocation4  4  7e7       

,appeal of suspension or termination of 
delegation ,section #ddgjb7;d7 of title 
#di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended  
by adding at the end the following3     
,subsections 7d71 7e71 and 7f7 of       
section #ddgji shall apply to a         
rescission of a delegation under this   
subsection in the same manner as those  
subsections apply to an order of the    
,administrator or the ,national         
,transportation ,safety ,board under    
that section44  #ajc4 ,limitations on   
reexamination of certificate holders    
7a7 ,in general ,section #ddgji7;a7 of  
title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is    
amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by    
striking reexamine and inserting 1      
except as provided in paragraphs 7#b7   
and 7#c71 reexamine2 and  7#b7 by adding
 at the end the following3  7#c7        
,limitation on the reexamination of     
airman certificates ,the ,administrator 
may not reexamine an airman holding a   
student1 sport1 recreational1 or private
 pilot certificate issued under section 

#ddgjc of this title if the             
reexamination is ordered as a result of 
an event involving the fault of the     
,federal ,aviation ,administration or   
its designee1 unless the ,administrator 
has reasonable grounds--  7,a7 to       
establish that the airman may not be    
qualified to exercise the privileges of 
a certificate or rating issued to the   
airman by the ,federal ,aviation        
,administration or its designee1 based  
upon an act or omission committed by the
 airman while exercising those          
privileges1 after the issuance of the   
certificate or rating2 or  7,b7 to      
demonstrate that the airman obtained    
such a certificate or rating through    
fraudulent means or through an          
examination that was substantially and  
demonstrably inadequate to establish the
 airman's qualifications4  4  7b7       
,amendment1 modification1 suspension1 or
 revocation of airman certificates after
 reexamination ,section #ddgji7;b7 of   
title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is    

amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by    
redesignating subparagraphs 7,a7 and    
7,b7 as clauses 7i7 and 7ii71           
respectively1 and by moving such        
clauses1 as so redesignated1 #b ems to  
the right2  7#b7 by redesignating       
paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 as             
subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b71            
respectively1 and by moving such        
subparagraphs1 as so redesignated1 #b   
ems to the right2  7#c7 in the matter   
preceding subparagraph 7,a71 as         
redesignated1 by striking ,the          
,administrator and inserting the        
following3  7#a7 ,in general ,except as 
provided in paragraph 7#b71 the         
,administrator  2 and  7#d7 by adding at
 the end the following3  7#b7           
,amendments1 modifications1 suspensions1
 and revocations of airman certificates 
after reexamination  7,a7 ,in general   
,the ,administrator may not issue an    
order to amend1 modify1 suspend1 or     
revoke an airman certificated held by a 
student1 sport1 recreational1 or private

 pilot and issued under section #ddgjc  
of this title after a reexamination of  
the airman holding the certificate      
unless the ,administrator determines    
that the airman--  7i7 lacks the        
technical skills and competency1 or     
care1 judgment1 and responsibility1     
necessary to hold and safely exercise   
the privileges of the certificate2 or   
7ii7 materially contributed to the      
issuance of the certificate by          
fraudulent means4  7,b7 ,standard of    
review ,any order of the ,administrator 
under this paragraph shall be subject to
 the standard of review provided for    
under section #b of the ,pilot's ,bill  
of ,rights 7#di ,u4,s4,c4 #ddgjc note74 
4  7c7 ,conforming amendments ,section  
#ddgji7;d77#a7 of title #di1 ,united    
,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in     
subparagraph 7,a71 by striking          
subsection 7b77#a77;,a7 and inserting   
subsection 7b77#a77;,a77i72 and  7#b7 in
 subparagraph 7,b71 by striking         
subsection 7b77#a77;,b7 and inserting   

subsection 7b77#a77;,a77ii74  #ajd4     
,aviation rulemaking and exemption      
petition due process  7a7 ,in general   
,not later than #ahj days after the date
 of enactment of this ,act1 the         
,administrator of the ,federal ,aviation
 ,administration shall issue a final    
rule that amends1 as appropriate1       
sections #aa4fa through #aa4ajc of title
 #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations    
7,petitions for ,rulemaking and for     
,exemption7 to do the following3  7#a7  
,add the following decision factors to  
the decision factors the ,federal       
,aviation ,administration considers     
pursuant to subsection 7a7 of section   
#aa4gc of such title #ad when deciding  
whether to act on a petition for        
rulemaking3  7,a7 ,the number of        
certificate holders directly affected by
 the proposed rulemaking4  7,b7 ,the    
impact of the proposed rulemaking on    
small businesses4  7,c7 ,the number of  
organizations requesting the proposed   
rulemaking4  7#b7 ,require the          

designation of an employee of the       
,federal ,aviation ,administration to   
manage each petition filed4  7#c7       
,require notification of the following  
to each petitioner within #cj days of   
receipt of a petition for rulemaking    
properly submitted pursuant to such     
section #aa4ga1 a petition for exemption
 properly submitted pursuant to section 
#aa4ha of such title #ad1 or a petition 
for reconsideration submitted pursuant  
to section #aa4aja of such title #ad3   
7,a7 ,the name and contact information  
for the employee of the ,federal        
,aviation ,administration designated    
pursuant to the requirement under       
paragraph 7#b74  7,b7 ,how the ,federal 
,aviation ,administration will dispose  
of the petition4  7,c7 ,if the ,federal 
,aviation ,administration determines    
that the petition justifies             
,administration action1 a timeline for  
such action4  7,d7 ,if the ,federal     
,aviation ,administration determines    
that the petition does not justify      

,administration action1 the basis for   
that decision with specific reference to
 the decision factors under subsection  
7a7 of such section #aa4ga for petitions
 for rulemaking1 under such section     
#aa4ha for petitions for exemption1 or  
under such section #aa4aja for petitions
 for reconsideration1 as applicable4    
7b7 ,report to congress ,not later than 
,september #cj1 #bjbj1 and each         
subsequent year thereafter1 the         
,administrator shall submit to the      
,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and  
,transportation of the ,senate and the  
,committee on ,transportation and       
,infrastructure of the ,house of        
,representatives a report that details  
the following with respect to the prior 
calendar year3  7#a7 ,the number of     
petitions for rulemaking submitted      
pursuant to sections #aa4fc and #aa4ga  
of such title #ad4  7#b7 ,for each such 
petition for rulemaking-- 7,a7 the      
regulations impacted or relevant to the 
petition2 and  7,b7 the nature1         

disposition1 and status of each         
petition4  7#c7 ,the number of petitions
 for exemption submitted pursuant to    
such #aa4ha4  7#d7 ,for each such       
petition for exemption-- 7,a7 the       
regulation from which exemption is      
sought2 and  7,b7 the disposition and   
status of each petition4  7#e7 ,the     
number of petitions for reconsideration 
submitted pursuant to section #aa4aja4  
7#f7 ,for each such petition for        
reconsideration-- 7,a7 the regulation   
from which reconsideration is sought2   
and  7,b7 the disposition and status of 
each petition4  #aje4 ,timely resolution
 of investigations ,not later than #ahj 
days after the date of enactment of this
 ,act1 the ,administrator shall issue a 
final rule to amend1 as appropriate--   
7#a7 subpart ,a of part #ac of title    
#ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 to 
require the completion of an            
investigation and a decision by the     
,administrator on whether to initiate a 
subsequent action within #b years from  

the date upon which a complaint is first
 filed pursuant to section #ac4e of such
 title #ad2 and  7#b7 subpart ,f of such
 part #ac to require the completion of  
an investigation and a decision by the  
,administrator on whether to initiate a 
subsequent action within #b years of the
 issuance of an order of investigation  
pursuant to section #ac4ajc of such     
title #ad4  ,,ii ,forward ,looking      
,investment in ,general ,aviation1      
,hangars1 and ,tarmacs 7,,flight ,act7  
#bja4 ,establishment of public-private  
partnership program at general aviation 
airports  7a7 ,in general ,chapter #dha 
of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is 
amended by adding at the end the        
following3  #dhaae4 ,general aviation   
public-private partnership program  7a7 
,small airport public-,private          
partnership program ,the ,secretary of  
,transportation shall establish a       
program that meets the requirements     
under this section for improving        
facilities at--  7#a7 general aviation  

airports2 and  7#b7 privately owned     
airports used or intended to be used for
 public purposes that do not have       
scheduled air service4  7b7 ,application
 required ,the operator or sponsor of an
 airport1 or the community in which an  
airport is located1 seeking1 on behalf  
of the airport1 to participate in the   
program established under subsection 7a7
 shall submit an application to the     
,secretary in such form1 at such time1  
and containing such information as the  
,secretary may require1 including--     
7#a7 an assessment of the needs of the  
airport for additional or improved      
hangars1 airport businesses1 or other   
facilities2  7#b7 the ability of the    
airport to leverage private sector      
investments on the airport or develop   
public-private partnerships to build or 
improve facilities at the airport2 and  
7#c7 if the application is submitted by 
a community1 evidence that the airport  
supports the application4  7c7          
,limitation  7#a7 ,state limit ,not more

 than #d airports in the same ,state may
 be selected to participate in the      
program established under subsection 7a7
 in any fiscal year4  7#b7 ,dollar      
amount limit ,not more than #ejj1jjj    
shall be made available for any airport 
in any fiscal year under the program    
established under subsection 7a74  7d7  
,priorities ,in selecting airports for  
participation in the program established
 under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary   
shall give priority to airports at      
which--  7#a7 the operator or sponsor of
 the airport1 or the community in which 
the airport is located-- 7,a7 will      
provide a portion of the cost of the    
project for which assistance is sought  
under the program from local sources2   
7,b7 will employ best business practices
 in developing or implementing a        
public-private partnership2 or  7,c7 has
 established1 or will establish1 a      
public-private partnership to build or  
improve facilities at the airport2 or   
7#b7 the assistance will be used in a   

timely fashion4  7e7 ,types of          
assistance ,the ,secretary may use      
amounts made available under this       
section--  7#a7 to provide assistance to
 market an airport to private entities  
or individuals in order to leverage     
private sector investments or develop   
public-private partnerships for the     
purposes of building or improving       
hangars1 businesses1 or other facilities
 at the airport2  7#b7 to fund studies  
that consider what measures an airport  
should take to attract private sector   
investment at the airport2 or  7#c7 to  
participate in a partnership described  
in paragraph 7#a7 or an investment      
described in paragraph 7#b74  7f7       
,authority ,to make agreements ,the     
,secretary may enter into agreements    
with airports and entities entering into
 partnerships with airports under this  
section to provide assistance under this
 section4  7g7 ,availability of amounts 
from ,airport and ,airway ,trust ,fund  
7#a7 ,in general ,there is authorized to

 be appropriated1 out of the ,airport   
and ,airway ,trust ,fund established    
under section #iejb of the ,internal    
,revenue ,code of #aihf1 #e1jjj1jjj for 
each of the fiscal years #bjbj through  
#bjbe to carry out this section4        
,amounts appropriated pursuant to this  
paragraph shall remain available until  
expended4  7#b7 ,availability ,amounts  
appropriated pursuant to paragraph      
7#a7-- 7,a7 shall remain available until
 expended2 and  7,b7 shall be in        
addition to any amounts made available  
pursuant to section #dhajc4  4  7b7     
,clerical amendment ,the analysis for   
chapter #dha of such title is amended by
 adding at the end the following3       
#dhaae4 ,general aviation public-private
 partnership program4  4  7c7           
,expenditure authority from ,airport and
 ,airway ,trust ,fund ,section          
#iejb7;d77#a77;,a7 of the ,internal     
,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by   
inserting or section #dgadc of title    
#di1 ,united ,states ,code before the   

semicolon at the end4  #bjb4 ,general   
aviation airport entitlement reform  7a7
 ,united ,states share of project costs 
,section #dgaji of title #di1 ,united   
,states ,code1 is amended by adding at  
the end the following3  7g7 ,general    
aviation airports ,the ,government's    
share of allowable project costs may be 
increased by the ,administrator of the  
,federal ,aviation ,administration to   
#ie percent for a project--  7#a7 at an 
airport that is not a primary airport if
 the ,administrator determines that the 
project will increase safety or security
 at that airport2 or  7#b7 at an airport
 that is categorized as a basic or      
unclassified airport in the report of   
the ,federal ,aviation ,administration  
entitled ,general ,aviation ,airports3  
,a ,national ,asset and dated ,may      
#bjab4  4  7b7 ,use of apportioned      
amounts ,section #dgaag7;e77#a7 of title
 #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended 
by adding at the end the following3     
7,d7 ,all amounts subject to            

apportionment for a fiscal year that are
 not apportioned under section          
#dgaad7;d71 for grants to sponsors of   
general aviation airports1 reliever     
airports1 or nonprimary commercial      
service airports4  4  #bjc4 ,disaster   
relief airports  7a7 ,designation of    
disaster relief airports  7#a7 ,in      
general ,subchapter ,i of ,chapter #dga 
is amended by inserting after section   
#dgaca the following3  #dgacb4 ,disaster
 relief airports  7a7 ,designation  7#a7
 ,in general ,the ,secretary of         
,transportation shall designate as a    
disaster relief airport an airport      
that--  7,a7 is categorized as a        
regional reliever airport in the report 
issued by the ,federal ,aviation        
,administration entitled ,national ,plan
 of ,integrated ,airport ,systems       
7,,npias7 #bjag-bjba2  7,b7 is within a 
reasonable distance1 as determined by   
the ,secretary1 of a hospital or        
transplant or trauma center2  7,c7 is in
 a region that the ,secretary determines

 under subsection 7b7 is prone to       
natural disasters2  7,d7 has at least   
one paved runway with not less than     
#c1djj feet of useable length capable of
 supporting aircraft up to #ab1ejj      
pounds2  7,e7 has aircraft maintenance  
or servicing facilities at the airport  
able to provide aircraft fueling and    
light maintenance services2 and  7,f7   
has adequate taxiway and ramp space to  
accommodate single-engine or light      
multi-engine aircraft simultaneously for
 loading and unloading of supplies4     
7#b7 ,designation in ,states without    
qualifying airports ,if fewer than #c   
airports described in paragraph 7#a7 are
 located in a ,state1 the ,secretary1 in
 consultation with aviation officials of
 that ,state1 shall designate not more  
than #c general aviation airports in    
that ,state as a disaster relief airport
 under this section4  7b7 ,prone to     
natural disasters  7#a7 ,in general ,for
 the purposes of subsection             
7a77#a77;,c71 a region is prone to      

natural disasters if-- 7,a7 in the case 
of earthquakes1 there is not less than a
 #ej percent probability that an        
earthquake of magnitude #f or above will
 occur in the region within #cj years1  
according to the ,united ,states        
,geological ,survey2 and  7,b7 in the   
case of other types of natural          
disasters1 the ,president has declared  
more than #e major disasters in the     
region under section #dja of the ,robert
 ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and    
,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db        
,u4,s4,c4 #eagj71 according to the most 
recent map of the ,federal ,emergency   
,management ,agency4  7#b7 ,natural     
disaster defined ,for the purposes of   
this section1 the term natural disaster 
includes a hurricane1 tornado1 severe   
storm1 high water1 wind-driven water1   
tidal wave1 tsunami1 earthquake1        
volcanic eruption1 landslide1 mudslide1 
snowstorm1 drought1 or wildfire4  7c7   
,requirements  7#a7 ,operation and      
maintenance  7,a7 ,in general ,a        

disaster relief airport and the         
facilities and fixed-based operators on 
or connected with the airport shall be  
operated and maintained in a manner the 
,secretary consider suitable for        
disaster relief4  7,b7 ,exclusion ,a    
disaster relief airport shall not be    
considered to be in violation of        
subparagraph 7,a7 if a runway is        
unuseable because the runway is under   
scheduled maintenance or is in need of  
necessary repairs4  7#b7 ,compliance    
with assurances on airport operations ,a
 disaster relief airport shall comply   
with the provisions of section #dgajg as
 if the airport has received a project  
grant under this subchapter4  7#c7      
,natural disaster management plan ,a    
disaster relief airport shall develop an
 emergency natural disaster management  
plan in coordination with local         
emergency response teams and first      
responders4  7d7 ,civil penalty ,a      
public agency that knowingly violates   
this section shall be liable to the     

,united ,states ,government for a civil 
penalty of not more than #aj1jjj for    
each day of the violation4  7e7         
,consideration for project grants ,the  
,secretary shall give consideration to  
the role an airport plays in disaster   
relief when determining whether to      
provide a grant for the airport under   
this subchapter4  7f7 ,applicability of 
other laws ,this section shall apply    
notwithstanding any other law1 rule1    
regulation1 or agreement4  4  7b7       
,clerical amendment ,the analysis for   
chapter #dga of such title is amended by
 inserting after the item relating to   
section #dgaca the following3  #dgacb4  
,disaster relief airports4  4  #bjd4    
,airport development relating to        
disaster relief ,section #dgajb7c7 of   
title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is    
amended by adding at the end the        
following3  7,s7 planning1 acquiring1 or
 constructing at an airport designated  
as a disaster relief airport under      
section #dgacb1 including--  7i7        

planning for disaster preparedness      
associated with maintaining airport     
operations during a natural disaster2   
7ii7 airport communication equipment and
 fixed emergency generators that are not
 able to be acquired by programs funded 
under the ,department of ,homeland      
,security2 and  7iii7 constructing1     
expanding1 and improving airfield       
infrastructure to include aprons and    
terminal buildings the ,secretary       
determines will facilitate disaster     
response at the airport4  4  #bje4      
,funding for projects as disaster relief
 airports  7a7 ,in general ,section     
#dgaad7;d77#c7 of title #di1 ,united    
,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by     
redesignating subparagraphs 7,a7 through
 7,d7 as subparagraphs 7,b7 through     
7,e71 respectively2  7#b7 by inserting  
before subparagraph 7,b71 as            
redesignated by subparagraph 7,a71 the  
following3  7,a7 ,not less than #be1jjj 
to airports designated as disaster      
relief airports under section #dgacb to 

enhance the ability of such airports to 
aid in disaster relief1 including       
through funding for airport development 
described in section #dgajb7c77,p74  2  
and  7#c7 in subparagraphs 7,d7 and     
7,e71 as redesignated by subparagraph   
7,a71 by striking subparagraph 7,a7 each
 place it appears and inserting         
subparagraph 7,b74  7b7 ,conforming     
amendments  7#a7 ,section #dgajf7;a77#g7
 of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is
 amended by striking #dgaad7;d77#c77;,b7
 and inserting #dgaad7;d77#c77;,c74     
7#b7 ,section #dgaag7;b77#b7 of title   
#di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended--
 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a77i71 by       
striking 7#c77;,a7 and inserting        
7#c77;,b72 and  7,b7 in subparagraph    
7,b7-- 7i7 by striking                  
#dgaad7;d77#c77;,a7 and inserting       
#dgaad7;d77#c77;,b72 and  7ii7 by       
striking #dgaad7;d77#c77;,b7 and        
inserting #dgaad7;d77#c77;,c74  #bjf4   
,revision of automated weather observing
 systems 7,,awos7 policy  7a7 ,in       

general ,section #eec7;d77#a7 of the    
,,faa ,reauthorization ,act of #bjah    
7,public ,law #aae-bed7 is amended--    
7#a7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking  
and at the end2  7#b7 by redesignating  
subparagraph 7,c7 as subparagraph 7,d72 
and  7#c7 by inserting after            
subparagraph 7,b7 the following new     
subparagraph3  7,d7 the ,secretary      
determines the grant obligation does not
 exceed the amounts made available under
 paragraph 7#a7 of section #dgaag7;f7 of
 such title #di for that fiscal year2   
and  4  7b7 ,effective date ,the        
amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall 
take effect as if included in the       
enactment of the ,,faa ,reauthorization 
,act of #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-bed74  
,,iii ,securing and ,revitalizing       
,aviation 7,,sara ,act7  #cja4          
,limitation of liability for certain    
individuals designated as               
representatives of the ,federal         
,aviation ,administration  7a7 ,in      
general ,any individual designated by   

the ,administrator under subpart ,c of  
part #ahc of title #ad1 ,code of        
,federal ,regulations1 to act as a      
representative of the ,administrator1   
including an aviation medical examiner1 
pilot examiner1 or designated           
airworthiness representative1 shall1    
when carrying out duties pursuant to    
that designation and without regard to  
the individual's employer--  7#a7 be    
considered to be performing an activity 
necessary to safeguard a uniquely       
,federal interest2 and  7#b7 not be     
liable in a civil action for actions    
performed with reasonable care in       
connection with those duties4  7b7      
,fraudulent misconduct ,this section    
does not relieve an individual described
 in subsection 7a7 that causes harm to  
any person through intentional or       
fraudulent misconduct while carrying out
 duties pursuant to that subsection from
 any penalty applicable under any       
provision of law for that misconduct4   
7c7 ,activity covered ,this section     

shall only apply to those individuals   
carrying out their duties within the    
,united ,states or its territories4     
,,iv ,air ,traffic ,controller ,reforms 
#dja4 ,federal ,aviation ,administration
 ,academy ,the ,administrator shall     
designate all necessary employees at the
 ,mike ,monroney ,aeronautical ,center  
in ,oklahoma ,city1 ,oklahoma1 as       
excepted employees in the event of a    
covered lapse in appropriations 7as such
 terms are defined in section #acda7;c7 
of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code7    
that is in effect on or after the date  
of enactment of this ,act to ensure that
 the ,federal ,aviation ,administration 
,academy remains open and capable of    
continuing to train air traffic         
controllers for the duration of the     
covered lapse in appropriations to the  
,federal ,aviation ,administration4     
#djb4 ,practical experience for air     
traffic controllers  7a7 ,review  7#a7  
,in general ,the ,administrator shall   
assign to the ,aviation ,rulemaking     

,advisory ,committee 7in this section   
referred to as the ,committee7 the task 
of reviewing all regulations and        
policies related to the training of air 
traffic control tower operators1        
including the practical experience      
requirements4  7#b7 ,recommendations    
,after conducting the review under      
paragraph 7#a71 the ,committee shall1   
not later than #f months after the date 
of enactment of this ,act1 submit to the
 ,administrator recommendations on the  
following3  7,a7 ,ways to modify the    
requirements described in paragraph 7#a7
 to enable the contract tower industry  
to prepare and better utilize approved  
air traffic collegiate training         
initiative 7,,at-,,cti7 school          
graduates1 veterans1 and other qualified
 air traffic control program graduates  
for work at air traffic control         
facilities in the ,federal contract     
tower program4  7,b7 ,regulatory and    
policy changes that are necessary to    
ensure that an applicant applying for   

their initial facility rating must      
successfully accomplish a minimum of #b 
months of on-the-job training in a      
control tower and that such an applicant
 be allowed to qualify for a facility   
rating having undertaken classroom and  
simulation training within a formal     
training process approved by the        
,federal ,aviation ,administration that 
may not have taken place within the     
facility for which the initial facility 
rating is being applied4  7,c7 ,other   
areas determined appropriate by the     
,committee4  7b7 ,action based on       
recommendations ,not later than #a year 
after receiving recommendations under   
subsection 7a77#b71 the ,administrator  
shall take such actions as the          
,administrator considers appropriate    
with respect to such recommendations4   
,v ,aviation ,fuel ,taxes  #eja4        
,treatment of fuel for use in aviation  
7a7 ,rate of tax  7#a7 ,in general      
,section #djha7;a77#b77;,a7 of the      
,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is    

amended by striking and at the end of   
clause 7ii71 by striking the period at  
the end of clause 7iii7 and inserting 1 
and1 and by adding at the end the       
following new clause3  7iv7 in the case 
of aviation-grade kerosene1 #ba4i cents 
per gallon4  4  7#b7 ,taxes imposed on  
fuel used in commercial aviation        
,section #djha7;a77#b77;,c7 of such     
,code is amended to read as follows3    
7,c7 ,taxes imposed on fuel used in     
commercial aviation ,in the case of     
aviation-grade kerosene which is removed
 from any refinery or terminal directly 
into the fuel tank of an aircraft for   
use in commercial aviation by a person  
registered for such use under section   
#daja1 the rate of tax under            
subparagraph 7,a77iv7 shall be #d4d     
cents per gallon4  4  7#c7 ,refueller   
trucks1 tankers1 and tank wagons        
,section #djha7;a77#c7 of such ,code is 
amended-- 7,a7 by inserting a secured   
area of before an airport in            
subparagraph 7,a77i72 and  7,b7 by      

striking subparagraph 7,d74  7#d7       
,conforming amendments  7,a7 ,sections  
#djha7;a77#c77;,a7 and #djhb7;b7 of such
 ,code are amended by striking kerosene 
each place it appears and inserting     
aviation-grade kerosene4  7,b7 ,section 
#djha7;a77#d7 of such ,code is amended  
by striking paragraph 7#b77;,c77i7 and  
inserting paragraph 7#b77;,c74  7,c7    
,the heading for section #djha7;a77#d7  
of such ,code is amended by striking    
kerosene and inserting aviation-grade   
kerosene4  7,d7 ,section #djha7;d77#b7  
of such ,code is amended by striking so 
much as precedes subparagraph 7,a7 and  
inserting the following3  7#b7 ,aviation
 fuels ,the rate of tax specified in    
subsection 7a77#b77;,a77ii7 shall be    
#d4c cents per gallon--  4  7,e7        
,subsection 7e7 of section #djhb of such
 ,code is amended--  7i7 by striking    
kerosene and inserting aviation-grade   
kerosene2  7ii7 by striking section     
#djha7;a77#b77;,a77iii7 and inserting   
section #djha7;a77#b77;,a77iv72  7iii7  

by striking the last sentence2 and  7iv7
 by striking ,kerosene removed into an  
aircraft in the heading and inserting   
,aviation-,grade kerosene4  7b7 ,rate   
for use of certain liquids in aviation  
7#a7 ,in general ,section #djda7;c7 of  
the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is
 amended-- 7,a7 by striking any liquid  
for use as a fuel other than aviation   
gasoline in paragraph 7#a7 and inserting
 aviation-grade kerosene2  7,b7 by      
striking liquid for use as a fuel other 
than aviation gasoline in paragraph 7#b7
 and inserting aviation-grade kerosene2 
7,c7 by striking paragraph 7#c7 and     
inserting the following new paragraph3  
7#c7 ,rate of tax ,the rate of tax      
imposed by this subsection shall be the 
rate of tax applicable under section    
#djha7;a77#b77;,a77iv7 which is in      
effect at the time of such sale or use4 
2 and  7,d7 by striking ,certain liquids
 used as fuel in aviation in the heading
 and inserting ,aviation-,grade         
kerosene4  7#b7 ,partial refund of full 

rate ,section #fdbg7l77#b7 of such ,code
 is amended to read as follows3  7#b7   
,nontaxable use ,for purposes of this   
subsection1 the term nontaxable use     
means-- 7,a7 in the case of diesel fuel 
or kerosene1 any use which is exempt    
from the tax imposed by section         
#djda7;a77#a7 other than by reason of a 
prior imposition of tax1 and  7,b7 in   
the case of aviation-grade kerosene--   
7i7 any use which is exempt from the tax
 imposed by section #djda7;c7 other than
 by reason of a prior imposition of tax1
 or  7ii7 any use in commercial aviation
 7within the meaning of section         
#djhc7;b774  4  7#c7 ,conforming        
amendments  7,a7 ,section               
#djda7;a77#a77;,b7 of such ,code is     
amended by adding at the end the        
following3 ,this subparagraph shall not 
apply to aviation-grade kerosene44  7,b7
 ,the heading for section #fdbg7l7 of   
such ,code is amended by striking and   
kerosene and inserting 1 kerosene1 and  
aviation fuel4  7,c7 ,section           

#fdbg7l77#d7 of such ,code is amended-- 
7i7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7,i7 by      
striking kerosene in subparagraph 7,a7  
and inserting aviation-grade kerosene2  
7,,ii7 by striking section              
#djha7;a77#b77;,a77iii7 and inserting   
section #djha7;a77#b77;,a77iv72 and     
7,,iii7 by striking ,kerosene used in   
commercial aviation in the heading and  
inserting ,in general2  7ii7 by striking
 subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c7 and        
inserting the following3  7,b7 ,payment 
to ultimate registered vendor ,with     
respect to any aviation-grade kerosene1 
if the ultimate purchaser of such       
kerosene waives 7at such time and in    
such form and manner as the ,secretary  
shall prescribe7 the right to payment   
under paragraph 7#a7 and assigns such   
right to the ultimate vendor1 then the  
,secretary shall pay the amount which   
would be paid under paragraph 7#a7 to   
such ultimate vendor1 but only if such  
ultimate vendor--  7i7 is registered    
under section #daja1 and  7ii7 meets the

 requirements of subparagraph 7,a71     
7,b71 or 7,d7 of section #fdaf7;a77#a74 
2 and  7iii7 by striking kerosene used  
in commercial aviation in the heading   
and inserting aviation-grade kerosene4  
7,d7 ,section #fdbg7;i77#d77;,a7 of such
 ,code is amended--  7i7 by striking    
paragraph 7#d77;,c7 and inserting       
paragraph 7#d77;,b72 and  7ii7 by       
striking 1 7l77#d77;,c77ii714  7,e7     
,section #fdbg7l77#e77;,b7 of such ,code
 is amended by striking kerosene used in
 aviation and inserting aviation-grade  
kerosene4  7c7 ,transfers from highway  
trust fund of taxes on fuels used in    
aviation to airport and airway trust    
fund  7#a7 ,in general ,section         
#iejc7;c7 of the ,internal ,revenue     
,code of #aihf is amended by striking   
paragraph 7#e74  7#b7 ,conforming       
amendments  7,a7 ,section #iejb7;a7 of  
such ,code is amended by striking 1     
section #iejc7;c77#e714  7,b7 ,section  
#iejb7;b77#a77;,d7 of such ,code is     
amended by striking and kerosene to the 

extent attributable to the rate         
specified in section #djha7;a77#b77;,c7 
and inserting and aviation-grade        
kerosene4  7,c7 ,section #iejc7;b7 of   
such ,code is amended by inserting after
 paragraph 7#b7 the following new       
paragraph3  7#c7 ,adjustments for       
aviation uses ,the amounts described in 
paragraph 7#a7 and 7#b7 with respect to 
any period shall 7before the application
 of this subsection7 be reduced by      
appropriate amounts to reflect any      
amounts transferred to the ,airport and 
,airway ,trust ,fund under section      
#iejb7;b7 with respect to such period4  
4  7d7 ,certain transfers not           
transferred from airport and airway     
trust fund  7#a7 ,section #iejb7;d77#b7 
of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf
 is amended by striking 7other than     
subsection 7l77#d7 thereof74  7#b7      
,section #iejb7;d77#c7 of such ,code is 
amended by striking 7other than payments
 made by reason of paragraph 7#d7 of    
section #fdbg7l774  7e7 ,effective date 

,the amendments made by this section    
shall apply to fuels or liquids removed1
 entered1 or sold after ,september #cj1 
#bjai4  ,,vi ,voluntary ,surrender of   
,repair ,station ,certificate  #fja4    
,revision of certain regulations        
relating to repair station certificates 
,the ,administrator shall-- 7#a7 not    
later than #fj days after the date of   
the enactment of this ,act1 publish in  
the ,federal ,register a notice of      
proposed rulemaking revising part #ade  
of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal         
,regulations--  7,a7 to restore the     
right of a repair station to            
unilaterally surrender its certificate2 
7,b7 to prevent an individual who       
materially contributes to the revocation
 of a repair station certificate or     
causes the process of revoking such a   
certificate to begin from reentering the
 industry2 and  7,c7 to clarify that a  
repair station that terminates an       
individual who materially contributes to
 the revocation of the certificate of   

the repair station or causes the process
 of revoking that certificate to begin  
may reapply for a certificate2 and  7#b7
 not later than #ij days after          
publishing the notice of proposed       
rulemaking1 publish in the ,federal     
,register a final rule with respect to  
those revisions4