,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dbdf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #ah 7legislative day1 ,may #ag71 #bjbb,mr4 ,padilla 7for himself and ,mr4 ,moran7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,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 assist an eligible entity to plan for the development and deployment of infrastructure necessary to facilitate ,,aam operations1 locally and regionally1 within the ,united ,states4 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 capable of being 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 shall include not less than #a of the following3 7i7 ,the identification of planned or potential vertiport locations4 7ii7 ,a description of infrastructure necessary to support ,,aam operations4 7iii7 ,a description of types of planned or potential ,,aam operations and forecast for proposed vertiport operations1 including estimates for initial operations and future growth4 7iv7 ,the identification of physical and digital infrastructure required to meet any 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 or other fueling requirements1 electric utility requirements1 wireless and cybersecurity requirements1 fire safety1 perimeter security1 and other necessary hardware or software4 7v7 ,a description of any hazard associated with planned vertiport infrastructure1 such as handling of hazardous materials1 batteries1 or other fuel cells1 charging or fueling of aircraft1 aircraft rescue and firefighting response1 and emergency planning4 7vi7 ,a description of potential environmental effects of planned construction or siting of vertiports4 7vii7 ,a description of how planned vertiport locations1 including new or repurposed infrastructure1 fit into ,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 rural areas and areas underserved by air transportation2 or 7,,iii7 opportunities to utilize existing aviation infrastructure1 such as airports and heliports1 for ,,aam operations4 7viii7 ,a description of how vertiport planning will be incorporated in ,state or metropolitan planning documents4 7ix7 ,the identification of the process an eligible entity will undertake to ensure an adequate level of engagement with any potentially impacted community for each planned vertiport location and planned or anticipated ,,aam operations1 such as engagement with communities in rural areas1 underserved communities1 individuals with disabilities1 or racial and ethnic minorities4 7x7 ,the identification of the actions necessary for an eligible entity to undertake the construction of a vertiport1 such as planning studies to assess existing infrastructure or newly identified areas of ,,aam integration1 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 7xi7 ,the identification of ,state1 local1 or private sources of funding an eligible entity may use to assist with the construction or operation of a vertiport4 7xii7 ,the identification of existing ,federal aeronautical and airspace requirements that must be met for the eligible entity's planned vertiport location4 7xiii7 ,a description of how the eligible entity will include opportunities for small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to compete1 on an equal basis1 for contracts or subcontracts related to the design1 development1 construction1 or operation of a proposed 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 ,diversity of the proposed models of infrastructure financing and management4 7iii7 ,diversity of anticipated or planned ,,aam operations4 7iv7 ,the need for comprehensive plans that-- 7,i7 facilitate the safe and efficient integration of ,,aam operations into the ,national ,airspace ,system2 7,,ii7 improve transportation safety1 connectivity1 and access in both rural and urban regions in the ,united ,states2 7,,iii7 leverage existing public transportation systems and intermodal and multimodal facilities or newly identified areas of ,,aam integration2 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,c7 ,minimum allocation to rural areas ,the ,secretary shall ensure that not less than #bj percent of the amounts made available under subsection 7c7 are used to award grants to eligible entities that submit a comprehensive plan under paragraph 7#b7 that is related to infrastructure located in a rural area4 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 thereafter through ,september #cj1 #bjbd1 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 vertiport locations included in the comprehensive plans submitted under paragraph 7#b7 and how such planned or proposed 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 ,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 7d7 ,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 7c7 may be expended after ,september #cj1 #bjbc-- 7,a7 for grants awarded prior to ,september #cj1 #bjbc2 and 7,b7 for administrative expenses4 7e7 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,advanced air mobility2 ,,aam ,the terms advanced air mobility and ,,aam mean a transportation system that transports individuals or property between points in the ,united ,states using aircraft with innovative capabilities1 including aircraft that use #b or more lift or thrust units to generate powered lift and control during vertical takeoff or landing1 that may be piloted1 remotely piloted1 or autonomous1 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 7,b7 intended commercial operators of ,,aam aircraft and systems2 and 7,c7 intended commercial operators and developers of vertiports4 7#d7 ,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#e7 ,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#f7 ,rural area ,the term rural area means an area located outside a metropolitan statistical area 7as designated by the ,office of ,management and ,budget74 7#g7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,transportation4 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 ,vertiport ,the term vertiport means a designated location used or intended to be used to support ,,aam operations1 including the landing1 takeoff1 loading1 taxiing1 parking1 and storage of aircraft developed for ,,aam operations4