,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #fbgj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #ad1 #bjbb,received ,,an ,,act ,to direct the ,secretary of ,transportation to establish a pilot program to provide grants related to advanced air mobility infrastructure1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,advanced ,aviation ,infrastructure ,modernization ,act or the ,,aaim ,act4 #b4 ,advanced air mobility infrastructure pilot program 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a pilot program to provide grants that-- 7#a7 assist an eligible entity to plan for the development and deployment of infrastructure necessary to facilitate ,,aam operations in the ,united ,states2 and 7#b7 make funding available for costs directly related to construction of public-use vertiports or associated infrastructure4 7b7 ,planning grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities to develop comprehensive plans under paragraph 7#b7 related to ,,aam infrastructure4 7#b7 ,comprehensive plan 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after receiving a grant under this subsection1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary a comprehensive plan in a format that may be published on the website of the ,department of ,transportation4 7,b7 ,plan contents ,the ,secretary shall establish content requirements for comprehensive plans submitted under this subsection1 which may include the following3 7i7 ,the identification of planned or potential public-use or private-use vertiport locations4 7ii7 ,a description of infrastructure necessary to support ,,aam operations4 7iii7 ,a description of types of planned or potential ,,aam operations4 7iv7 ,the identification of physical and digital infrastructure required to meet the standards for vertiport design and performance characteristics established by the ,federal ,aviation ,administration 7as in effect on the date on which the ,secretary issues a grant to an eligible entity71 including modifications to existing infrastructure and ground sensors1 electric charging and other fueling requirements1 electric utility requirements1 wireless and cybersecurity requirements1 and other necessary hardware or software4 7v7 ,a description of potential environmental effects of planned construction or siting of public-use vertiports1 including efforts to reduce the adverse effects of potential aviation noise4 7vi7 ,a description of how planned public-use or private-use vertiport locations1 including new or repurposed infrastructure1 fit into existing ,state and local transportation systems and networks1 including-- 7,i7 connectivity to existing public transportation hubs and intermodal and multimodal facilities2 7,,ii7 opportunities to create new service to areas underserved by air transportation1 without compromising safety and efficiency of other facilities and airspace users2 and 7,,iii7 any potential conflicts to existing aviation infrastructure that may arise from the proposed location of the vertiport4 7vii7 ,a description of how public-use vertiport planning will be incorporated in ,state or metropolitan planning documents4 7viii7 ,the identification of the process an eligible entity will undertake to ensure an adequate level of community engagement for planned public-use vertiport locations and planned or anticipated ,,aam operations1 including engagement with underserved communities1 individuals with disabilities1 and racial and ethnic minorities1 to address equity of access and other priorities4 7ix7 ,the identification of the actions necessary for an eligible entity to undertake the construction of public-use vertiports1 such as planning studies to assess existing infrastructure1 environmental studies1 studies of projected economic benefit to the community1 lease or acquisition of an easement or land for new infrastructure1 and activities related to other capital costs4 7x7 ,the identification of ,state1 local1 or private sources of funding an eligible entity may use to assist with the construction or operation of a public-use vertiport4 7#c7 ,application ,to apply for a grant under this subsection1 an eligible entity shall provide to the ,secretary an application in such form1 at such time1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#d7 ,selection 7,a7 ,in general ,in awarding grants under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall consider the following3 7i7 ,geographic diversity4 7ii7 ,the need for comprehensive plans that-- 7,i7 ensure the safe integration of ,,aam operations into the ,national ,airspace ,system2 7,,ii7 improve transportation safety1 connectivity1 access1 and equity in both rural and urban regions in the ,united ,states2 7,,iii7 leverage existing public transportation systems and intermodal and multimodal facilities2 7,,iv7 reduce surface congestion and the environmental impacts of transportation2 7,v7 grow the economy and create jobs in the ,united ,states2 and 7,,vi7 encourage community engagement when planning for ,,aam related infrastructure4 7,b7 ,priority ,the ,secretary shall prioritize awarding grants under this subsection to eligible entities that partner with commercial ,,aam entities1 institutions of higher education1 research institutions1 or other relevant stakeholders to develop and prepare a comprehensive plan4 7#e7 ,grant amount ,each grant made under this subsection shall be made in an amount that is not more than #a1jjj1jjj4 7#f7 ,briefing 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the first comprehensive plan is submitted under paragraph 7#b71 and every #ahj days thereafter1 the ,secretary shall provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of ,congress on the comprehensive plans submitted to the ,secretary under such paragraph4 7,b7 ,contents ,the briefing required under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include-- 7i7 an evaluation of all planned or proposed public-use vertiport locations included in the comprehensive plans submitted under paragraph 7#b7 and how such planned or proposed public-use vertiport locations may fit into the overall ,united ,states transportation system and network2 and 7ii7 a description of lessons or best practices learned through the review of comprehensive plans and how the ,secretary will incorporate any such lessons or best practices into ,federal standards or guidance for the design and operation of ,,aam infrastructure and facilities4 7c7 ,construction grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may award grants to covered recipients to carry out construction activities described under paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,eligible uses ,a covered recipient may use grant funds awarded under this subsection for design1 bidding1 and environmental study activities1 and other capital costs1 as the ,secretary determines appropriate1 directly related to the construction of a public-use vertiport or associated infrastructure pursuant to the comprehensive plan submitted by such covered recipient4 7#c7 ,requirements ,the requirements of subsections 7b7 and 7c7 of section #dgaab of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 and section #ejaja of such title1 shall apply to a grant awarded under this subsection4 7#d7 ,limitation ,the ,secretary may not award a grant under this subsection-- 7,a7 for the acquisition1 conversion1 or retrofitting of ,,aam aircraft2 or 7,b7 for the construction of private-use vertiports or associated infrastructure4 7#e7 ,grant timing ,the ,secretary may not issue a grant under this subsection until-- 7,a7 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,aviation ,administration has-- 7i7 issued type certificates for #b or more models of aircraft designed to provide ,,aam transportation2 and 7ii7 published an advisory circular containing appropriate standards for vertiport design and performance characteristics and vertiport siting2 and 7,b7 the ,secretary has-- 7i7 determined that #b or more ,,aam operators hold certificates under part #aai of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 for such operators to perform air carrier operations covered under part #ace of such title2 and 7ii7 issued1 to #b or more air carriers formed to provide ,,aam transportation1 certificates under chapter #daa of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,authorization ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section #ab1ejj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb and #bjbc1 to remain available until expended4 7#b7 ,administrative expenses ,of the amounts made available under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary may retain up to #a percent for personnel1 contracting1 and other costs to establish and administer the pilot program under this section4 7e7 ,termination 7#a7 ,in general ,no grant may be awarded under this section after ,september #cj1 #bjbc4 7#b7 ,continued funding ,funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection 7d7 may be expended after ,september #cj1 #bjbc-- 7,a7 for grants awarded prior to ,september #cj1 #bjbc2 and 7,b7 for administrative expenses4 7f7 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,advanced air mobility2 aam ,the terms advanced air mobility and ,,aam mean an air transportation system that transports individuals and property between points in the ,united ,states using aircraft1 such as remotely piloted1 autonomous1 or vertical take-off and landing aircraft1 including those powered by electric or hybrid driven propulsion1 in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace4 7#b7 ,appropriate committees of congress ,the term appropriate committees of ,congress means the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate4 7#c7 ,commercial aam entities ,the term commercial ,,aam entities means-- 7,a7 manufacturers of aircraft1 avionics1 propulsion systems1 and air traffic management systems related to ,,aam2 and 7,b7 intended commercial operators of ,,aam aircraft and systems4 7#d7 ,covered recipient ,the term covered recipient means the recipient of a grant under subsection 7b7 who has submitted a comprehensive plan-- 7,a7 that has been reviewed by the ,secretary pursuant to subsection 7b72 and 7,b7 that the ,secretary has determined contains proposed projects that comply with the standards for vertiport design1 performance1 and siting characteristics described in a published advisory circular4 7#e7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,state1 local1 or ,tribal government1 including a political subdivision thereof2 7,b7 an airport sponsor2 7,c7 a transit agency2 7,d7 a port authority2 7,e7 a metropolitan planning organization2 or 7,f7 any combination or consortium of the entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,e74 7#f7 ,metropolitan planning organization ,the term metropolitan planning organization has the meaning given such term in section #ecjc7;b7 of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#g7 ,public-use vertiport ,the term public-use vertiport means a designated location used or intended to be used for public purposes and to support ,,aam operations1 including the landing1 takeoff1 loading1 taxiing1 parking1 and storage of vertical take-off and landing aircraft4 7#h7 ,state ,the term ,state means a ,state of the ,united ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 ,puerto ,rico1 the ,virgin ,islands1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 and ,guam4 7#i7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,transportation4 7#aj7 ,vertical take-off and landing aircraft ,the term vertical take-off and landing aircraft means an aircraft with lift_/thrust units used to generate powered lift and control and with #b or more lift_/thrust units used to provide lift during vertical take-off or landing4 #c4 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this ,act may be construed as conferring upon any person1 ,state1 local1 or ,tribal government the authority to determine the safety of any ,,aam operation or the feasibility of simultaneous operations by ,,aam and conventional aircraft within any given area of the ,national ,airspace ,system4 ,passed the ,house of ,representatives ,june #ac1 #bjbb4;,cheryl ,l4 ,johnson1,clerk4