,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aihe ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #e1 #bjbe,ms4 ,cantwell 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,duckworth1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 ,mr4 ,markey1 ,mr4 ,kaine1 ,mr4 ,warner1 and ,mr4 ,warnock7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to improve aviation safety1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,safe ,operations of ,shared ,airspace ,act of #bjbe4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4,sec4 #c4 ,expert compliance review of ,,faa ,safety ,management ,system4,sec4 #d4 ,,ads-,b ,out ,reforms4,sec4 #e4 ,,ads-,b ,in requirement to enhance safety4,sec4 #f4 ,safety reviews of airspace4,sec4 #g4 ,,faa-,department of ,defense ,safety ,information ,sharing4,sec4 #h4 ,no disruptions to ,,faa workforce4,sec4 #i4 ,extension of ,,faa air traffic controller max hiring requirement4,sec4 #aj4 ,air traffic controller training improvements4,sec4 #aa4 ,,taram analyses4,sec4 #ab4 ,employee reporting4,sec4 #ac4 ,conflicts of interest4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,,faa4 7#b7 ,,ads-,b in ,the term ,,ads-,b ,in means onboard avionics technology that periodically receives ,,ads-,b ,out broadcasts of an aircraft's state vector 7#c-;dimensional position and #c-;dimensional velocity7 and other required information as described in part #ia4bgg of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or a successor regulation74 7#c7 ,,ads-,b out ,the term ,,ads-,b ,out has the meaning given such term in section #ia4bbg of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or a successor regulation74 7#d7 ,air carrier2 foreign air carrier ,the terms air carrier and foreign air carrier have the meanings given such terms in section #djajb of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#e7 ,appropriate committees of congress ,the term appropriate committees of ,congress means the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#f7 ,cabinet member ,the term ,cabinet ,member means an individual who is the head 7including an acting head7 of the ,department of ,agriculture1 ,department of ,commerce1 ,department of ,defense1 ,department of ,education1 ,department of ,energy1 ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 ,department of ,homeland ,security1 ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 ,department of the ,interior1 ,department of ,justice1 ,department of ,labor1 ,department of ,state1 ,department of ,transportation1 ,department of the ,treasury1 or ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 or any other individual who occupies a position designated by the ,president as a ,cabinet-level position4 7#g7 ,comptroller ,general ,the term ,comptroller ,general means the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states4 7#h7 ,,faa ,the term ,,faa means the ,federal ,aviation ,administration4 7#i7 ,powered-lift ,the term powered-lift has the meaning given such term in section #a4a of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or a successor regulation74 7#aj7 ,rotorcraft ,the term rotorcraft has the meaning given such term in section #a4a of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or a successor regulation74 7#aa7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,transportation4 7#ab7 ,,sms ,the term ,,sms means a safety management system4 7#ac7 ,transport airplane ,the term transport airplane means a transport category airplane designed for operation by an air carrier or foreign air carrier type-certificated with a passenger seating capacity of #cj or more or an all-cargo or combi derivative4 7#ad7 ,unmanned aircraft system ,the term unmanned aircraft system has the meaning given such term in section #ddhja of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code4 #c4 ,expert compliance review of ,,faa ,safety ,management ,system 7a7 ,expert compliance review 7#a7 ,establishment 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,administrator shall convene an independent expert panel 7in this section referred to as the review panel7 to review and make findings and recommendations on the matters listed in paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of the review panel is to review and evaluate ,,faa orders and policies to inform the ,,faa's implementation of a comprehensive and integrated ,,sms for all lines of business within the ,,faa4 7#b7 ,contents of review ,the review panel shall review the following3 7,a7 ,the extent to which the ,,faa's ,,sms complies with relevant ,,faa orders and policies4 7,b7 ,the actual and projected safety enhancements achieved through the ,,faa's prior implementation of ,,sms4 7,c7 ,the effectiveness of ,,sms1 including with respect to the implementation of the following #d components3 7i7 ,safety policy4 7ii7 ,safety risk management4 7iii7 ,safety assurance4 7iv7 ,safety promotion4 7,d7 ,the extent to which ,,sms and each of the #d components described in subparagraph 7,c7 are integrated among and across all lines of business of the ,,faa4 7,e7 ,the extent to which ,,sms and each of the #d components so described are understood1 communicated1 and trained to personnel at the ,,faa4 7,f7 ,the efficacy of the ,,faa's ,voluntary ,safety ,reporting ,programs as part of ,,sms1 including any actions taken by the ,,faa in response to reports filed under such program4 7,g7 ,whether the ,federal ,government should advocate for changes to ,annex #ai-,safety ,management of the ,international ,civil ,aviation ,organization 7in this section referred to as ,,icao7 to ensure appropriate updates to the ,state ,safety ,program standards and recommended practices1 including-- 7i7 a systems-level approach to evaluating and improving ,,sms for air navigation service providers2 and 7ii7 the implementation of ,,sms for civil aviation regulators4 7,h7 ,any other matter determined by the ,administrator for which review by the review panel would be consistent with the public interest in aviation safety4 7#c7 ,composition of review panel 7,a7 ,appointed members ,the review panel shall consist of the following members appointed by the ,administrator3 7i7 ,two representatives of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration with expertise in ,s,m,ss4 7ii7 ,three appropriately qualified representatives of aviation labor organizations 7designated by the applicable represented organization71 including-- 7,i7 the principal organization representing the largest certified collective bargaining representative of airline pilots2 and 7,,ii7 the exclusive bargaining representatives of ,,faa air traffic controllers certified under section #gaaa of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7iii7 ,not less than #e independent subject matter experts in safety management systems who-- 7,i7 have not served as a political appointee in the ,,faa2 and 7,,ii7 have a minimum of #aj years of relevant applied experience4 7iv7 ,three representatives from the aviation industry with expertise in ,,sms4 7v7 ,a representative of the ,united ,states ,mission to the ,,icao4 7,b7 ,advisory members 7i7 ,in general ,in addition to the appointed members described in subparagraph 7,a71 the review panel shall be advised by up to #e employees of the ,,faa1 at least #c of whom shall be subject matter experts in implementing ,,sms at the ,,faa4 7ii7 ,duties ,the advisory members may take part in deliberations of the review panel and provide subject matter expertise with respect to the review panel's work4 7#d7 ,recommendations ,the review panel shall issue recommendations to the ,administrator based on the review of the matters listed in paragraph 7#b7 in order to inform the ,,faa's implementation of a comprehensive and integrated ,,sms for all lines of business within the ,,faa4 7#e7 ,report 7,a7 ,submission ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the first meeting of the review panel1 the review panel shall submit to the ,administrator and the appropriate committees of ,congress a report containing the findings and recommendations regarding the matters listed in paragraph 7#b7 that are endorsed by a majority of the review panel4 7,b7 ,dissenting views ,in submitting the report under subparagraph 7,a71 the review panel shall append to such report the dissenting views of any individual member or group of members of the review panel regarding the findings or recommendations of the review panel4 7,c7 ,publication ,not later than #e days after receiving the report under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,administrator shall publish such report1 including any dissenting views appended to the report1 on the website of the ,,faa4 7,d7 ,termination ,the review panel shall terminate upon the submission of the report under subparagraph 7,a74 7#f7 ,administrative provisions 7,a7 ,access to information 7i7 ,in general ,the review panel shall have the authority to perform the following actions if a majority of the review panel members consider each action necessary and appropriate3 7,i7 ,entering onto the premises of the ,,faa for access to and inspection of records or other purposes4 7,,ii7 ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 except as provided in clause 7ii71 accessing and inspecting de-identified1 but otherwise unredacted1 records directly necessary for the completion of the review panel's work under this section that are in the possession of the ,,faa4 7,,iii7 ,interviewing employees of the ,,faa as necessary for the review panel to complete its work4 7ii7 ,non-federal government members ,members of the review panel who are not officers or employees of the ,federal ,government shall only have access to1 and be allowed to inspect1 information provided to the ,,faa pursuant to section #djabc of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 and part #aic of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 in a de-identified form4 7,b7 ,nondisclosure of confidential information 7i7 ,nondisclosure for non-federal government members 7,i7 ,non-federal government participants ,prior to participating on the review panel1 each individual serving on the review panel representing a non-,federal entity shall execute an agreement with the ,administrator in which the individual shall be prohibited from disclosing at any time1 except as required by law1 to any person1 foreign or domestic1 any non-public information made available to the panel under subparagraph 7,a74 7,,ii7 ,federal ,government participants ,federal officers or employees serving on the review panel as representatives of the ,federal ,government and subject to the requirement to protect confidential information 7including proprietary information and trade secrets under section #aije of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code7 shall not be required to execute agreements under this clause4 7ii7 ,protection of information ,information that is obtained or reviewed by the review panel shall not constitute a waiver of the protections applicable to the information under section #eeb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,freedom of ,information ,act74 ,members of the review panel shall protect such information to the extent required under applicable law4 7iii7 ,protection of proprietary information and trade secrets ,members of the review panel shall protect proprietary information1 trade secrets1 and other information otherwise exempt under section #eeb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 to the extent permitted under applicable law4 7#g7 ,inapplicability of ,,faca ,the review panel shall not be subject to chapter #aj of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act74 7#h7 ,process improvements ,not later than #a year after the submission of the recommendations under paragraph 7#d71 the ,administrator shall report to the appropriate committees of ,congress on the status of any ongoing actions in response to such recommendations1 including the status of implementation of each of the recommendations of the review panel1 if any1 with which the ,administrator concurs4 7b7 ,non-,concurrence with recommendations ,not later than #f months after submission of the recommendations under subsection 7a77#d71 with respect to each recommendation of the review panel with which the ,administrator does not concur1 if any1 the ,administrator shall publish on the website of the ,,faa and submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a detailed explanation for such determination4 #d4 ,,ads-,b ,out ,reforms 7a7 ,applicability of certain exceptions ,for purposes of applying section #ia4bbe7;f7 of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or any successor regulation71 the term sensitive government mission shall be strictly construed and shall not include training flights1 flights of ,federal officials below the rank of ,cabinet ,member1 or any routine flights4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #ajdf7;e77#c7 of the ,john ,s4 ,mc,cain ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjai 7#di ,u4,s4,c4 #djaja note7 is amended to read as follows3 7#c7 ,the term special mission aircraft means an aircraft the ,secretary of ,defense designates1 in coordination with the ,federal ,aviation ,administration1 for a unique mission to which operating with ,,ads-,b ,out equipment installed and activated creates a unique risk when weighed against any risk to the safety of the national airspace system posed by non-equipage and deactivation of ,,ads-,b ,out equipment4 4 7c7 ,administrative action ,the ,administrator shall modify section #ia4bbe7;f7 of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or any successor regulation71 and any pertinent ,memorandum of ,agreement1 to conform with the requirements of this section4 7d7 ,,gao review and report ,not later than the date that is #a year after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,comptroller ,general shall-- 7#a7 review the utilization of exceptions specified in section #ia4bbe7;f7 of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or any successor regulation71 as modified to conform with the requirements of this section1 and section #ajdf7;e77#c7 of the ,john ,s4 ,mc,cain ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjai 7#di ,u4,s4,c4 #djaja note71 as amended by subsection 7b71 to determine whether the ,department of ,defense and other relevant ,federal agencies1 or other applicable operators1 have utilized those exceptions in accordance with relevant law and regulation and the extent of such utilization2 and 7#b7 submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report on the findings of the review conducted under paragraph 7#a74 7e7 ,,faa review ,upon submission of the report specified in subsection 7d77#b71 the ,administrator shall determine whether any ,federal agencies that have been found to have not utilized exceptions in accordance with relevant laws and regulations shall be permitted to continue to utilize those exceptions4 ,the ,administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of ,congress on such determination4 7f7 ,joint council ,the ,administrator1 through the ,office of ,,faa-,,dod ,coordination established or designated under section #f1 and the ,secretary of ,defense1 shall establish a joint council to regularly review all operations1 including those operated by ,federal agencies1 that utilize the exceptions to the ,,ads-,b ,out equipage and transmission requirements to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations4 ,the joint council shall brief the appropriate committees of ,congress on an annual basis4 #e4 ,,ads-,b ,in requirement to enhance safety 7a7 ,deadline for compliance ,not later than the date that is #d years after the date of enactment of this section1 an air carrier operating under part #aba of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations or providing service under part #ace of title #ad of such ,code pursuant to a schedule or in conjunction with part #chj of title #ad of such ,code may not operate an aircraft unless the aircraft has ,automatic ,dependent ,surveillance-,broadcast ,in 7,,ads-,b ,in7 equipment installed and operational at all times unless otherwise authorized by air traffic control1 regardless of whether the ,administrator has issued regulations to implement such requirement4 7b7 ,performance requirements ,the ,administrator shall determine appropriate performance requirements for the ,,ads-,b ,in equipment referenced in subsection 7a7 for the purposes of providing safety-enhancing capabilities for flight crews1 including but not limited to increasing situational awareness1 receiving indications and alerts of air traffic conflicts1 and facilitating aircraft collision avoidance4 ,the ,administrator shall issue relevant guidance to operators and other appropriate stakeholders on the types of equipment that satisfy the requirements of this section4 #f4 ,safety reviews of airspace 7a7 ,,faa-,,dod ,coordination ,not later than #cj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,administrator shall establish or designate an office within the ,,faa as the ,office of ,,faa-,,dod ,coordination 7in this section referred to as the ,office71 which shall-- 7#a7 coordinate airspace usage of military aircraft and rotorcraft with relevant ,,faa lines of business including the ,air ,traffic ,organization2 and 7#b7 carry out the safety review required by subsection 7b74 7b7 ,safety reviews 7#a7 ,review of ,ronald ,reagan ,washington ,national ,airport ,not later than #cj days after the date on which the ,office is established or designated1 the ,administrator1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,defense and the heads of any other ,federal agencies determined appropriate by the ,administrator1 shall initiate a safety review 7in this subsection referred to as the review7 of all military1 law enforcement1 and civilian rotary wing1 powered lift1 and unmanned aircraft system flight operations and flight routes in the ,washington ,,dc ,metropolitan ,area ,special ,flight ,rules ,area1 including but not limited to flight operations conducted by the ,department of ,defense and emergency response providers1 to evaluate any associated safety risk on commercial transport airplane operations at ,ronald ,reagan ,washington ,national ,airport4 7#b7 ,other airport reviews 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,defense and the heads of any ,federal agencies determined appropriate by the ,administrator1 shall conduct safety reviews of all military1 law enforcement and civilian rotary wing1 powered lift1 and unmanned aircraft system flight operations and flight routes at other ,class ,b airports 7as listed in section #a of ,appendix ,d to part #ia of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or any successor regulation77 in ,class ,b airspace in the national airspace system1 including flight operations conducted by the ,department of ,defense and emergency response providers1 to evaluate any associated safety risk on commercial transport airplane operations4 7,b7 ,prioritization 7i7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this section1 for the sole purpose of carrying out the safety reviews required by subparagraph 7,a71 the ,administrator shall classify ,class ,b airports into the following categories based on the volume of mixed air traffic at each airport1 as determined by the ,administrator3 7,i7 ,class ,b airports with higher volumes of mixed air traffic4 7,,ii7 ,class ,b airports with lower volumes of mixed air traffic4 7ii7 ,priority ,in conducting the safety reviews required by subparagraph 7,a71 the ,administrator shall prioritize the evaluation of ,class ,b airports in the category under clause 7i77,i74 7,c7 ,deadline of initiation of reviews 7i7 ,class ,b airports with higher volumes ,the ,administrator shall initiate the review under subparagraph 7,a7 of ,class ,b airports in the category under subparagraph 7,b77i77,i7 no later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this section4 7ii7 ,class ,b airports with lower volumes ,the ,administrator shall initiate the review under subparagraph 7,a7 of ,class ,b airports in the category under subparagraph 7,b77i77,,ii7 no later than #ij days after the deadline for completion of the reviews under paragraph 7#d77;,b77i74 7#c7 ,requirements ,in conducting the safety reviews required by paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b71 the ,office shall do the following3 7,a7 ,analyze air traffic and airspace management4 7,b7 ,evaluate the level of coordination the ,administrator exercises with the ,secretary of ,defense and the heads of any other ,federal agencies1 and emergency response providers as appropriate1 to inform the designation and approval of airspace use and flight routes for non-transport airplane operations4 7,c7 ,assess any risks posed to transport airplanes from military aircraft1 civil rotorcraft1 powered lift aircraft1 and unmanned aircraft systems operating in ,class ,b airspace in proximity to ,class ,b airports4 7,d7 ,review relevant incidents submitted to the ,administrator through ,air ,traffic ,mandatory ,occurrence reports 7as documented via ,,faa ,form #gbaj-ac71 ,aviation ,safety ,reporting ,system reports1 and ,aviation ,safety ,action ,program reports1 and relevant reports submitted to the ,administrator of the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration through the ,aviation ,safety ,reporting ,system1 to identify any safety trends regarding the operation of military aircraft1 civil rotorcraft1 powered lift aircraft1 and unmanned aircraft systems in ,class ,b airspace near ,class ,b airports4 7,e7 ,select appropriately qualified representatives of aviation labor organizations 7designated by the applicable represented organization7 as participants in the reviews1 including1 at a minimum-- 7i7 the principal organization representing the largest certified collective bargaining representative of airline pilots2 and 7ii7 the exclusive bargaining representative of air traffic controllers of the ,,faa certified under section #gaaa of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#d7 ,deadlines for completion of safety reviews 7,a7 ,ronald ,reagan ,washington ,national ,airport ,the ,administrator shall complete the safety review required by paragraphs 7#a7 not later than #abj days after the date on which such review is initiated4 7,b7 ,other airports 7i7 ,class ,b airports with higher volumes ,the ,administrator shall complete the safety reviews required by paragraphs 7#b7 of ,class ,b airports in the category under subparagraph 7,b77i77,i7 of such paragraph no later than #b years after the date on which the first of such reviews is initiated4 7ii7 ,class ,b airports with lower volumes ,the ,administrator shall complete the safety review required by paragraphs 7#b7 of ,class ,b airports in the category under subparagraph 7,b77i77,,ii7 of such paragraph no later than #b years after the deadline for completion of the reviews under clause 7i74 7#e7 ,report ,not later than #fj days after the safety reviews required by paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 are completed1 the ,administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report detailing the analysis and results of the review1 together with relevant findings and recommendations1 including any recommendations for legislative or administrative action determined appropriate by the ,administrator4 #g4 ,,faa-,department of ,defense ,safety ,information ,sharing 7a7 ,,mou with the ,department of the ,army ,not later than the date that is #fj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,federal ,aviation ,administration and the ,department of the ,army shall establish a ,memorandum of ,understanding to permit1 as appropriate1 the sharing of information from the ,army's ,safety ,management ,information ,system with the ,,faa to facilitate communications and analysis of any applicable impacts to the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations and to mitigate risk in the national airspace system4 7b7 ,other ,department of ,defense ,m,o,us ,not later than the date that is #ij days after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,federal ,aviation ,administration shall establish a ,memorandum of ,understanding with the following military departments to permit1 as appropriate1 the sharing of information from applicable aviation safety information systems to facilitate communications and analysis of any applicable impacts to the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations and to mitigate risk in the national airspace system3 7#a7 ,the ,department of the ,navy4 7#b7 ,the ,department of the ,air ,force4 7#c7 ,the ,coast ,guard4 #h4 ,no disruptions to ,,faa workforce 7a7 ,hiring freeze exclusion 7#a7 ,in general ,any action by the ,president1 the ,secretary1 the ,administrator1 the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management1 or other head1 officer1 or employee of a ,federal executive entity to halt appointment activities in the ,federal service on or after the date of enactment of this section shall exclude the ,,faa workforce4 7#b7 ,retroactive application ,each action by the ,president1 the ,secretary1 the ,administrator1 the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management1 or other head1 officer1 or employee of a ,federal executive entity to halt appointment activities at the ,,faa during the period beginning on ,january #bj1 #bjbe1 and ending on the date of enactment of this section is reversed4 7b7 ,deferred ,resignation ,program and ,voluntary ,furlough ,exclusion 7#a7 ,in general ,any action on or after the date of enactment of this section by the ,president1 the ,secretary1 the ,administrator1 the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management1 or other head1 officer1 or employee of a ,federal executive entity to offer a deferred resignation program or voluntary furlough opportunity to ,federal employees shall exclude the ,,faa workforce4 7#b7 ,savings clause ,nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect the ,voluntary ,separation ,incentive ,payments program carried out under part #egf of title #e1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect on ,january #a1 #bjbe74 7c7 ,,gao review of ,,faa probationary personnel terminations 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #cj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,comptroller ,general shall initiate a review of each action by the ,president1 the ,secretary1 the ,administrator1 the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management1 and other head1 officer1 or employee of a ,federal executive entity during the period beginning on ,february #ad1 #bjbe1 and ending on the date of enactment of this section to terminate an employee in a probationary period of employment of the ,,faa4 7#b7 ,requirements ,in conducting the review1 the ,comptroller ,general shall evaluate-- 7,a7 whether a comprehensive safety risk management analysis evaluating the impacts of the proposed workforce reduction on the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system was performed by the ,secretary or ,administrator prior to the terminations2 7,b7 whether the ,president1 the ,secretary1 the ,administrator1 the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management1 or other head1 officer1 or employee of a ,federal executive entity made efforts to notify congressional committees of jurisdiction of the proposed and confirmed workforce reductions2 and 7,c7 whether the workforce reductions resulted in a detrimental impact to the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system4 7#c7 ,deadline ,the ,comptroller ,general shall complete the review required by this subsection not later than #ahj days after the date on which the review is initiated4 7#d7 ,report ,not later than #fj days after the date on which the review is completed1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report detailing the results of the review together with relevant findings and recommendations1 including any recommendations for legislative or administrative action4 7d7 ,prohibition on ,,faa staffing reductions ,the ,secretary and the ,administrator shall not-- 7#a7 carry out a reduction in force for employees of the ,,faa2 or 7#b7 reduce the number of full-time equivalent positions at the ,,faa4 #i4 ,extension of ,,faa air traffic controller max hiring requirement ,section #dcg7;a7 of the ,,faa ,reauthorization ,act of #bjbd 7#di ,u4,s4,c4 #ddejf note7 is amended by striking #bjbh and inserting #bjcc4 #aj4 ,air traffic controller training improvements 7a7 ,enhanced ,air ,traffic ,collegiate ,training ,initiative program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall leverage the ,collegiate ,training ,initiative program described in section #ddejf7;c7 of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 to maintain an ,enhanced ,air ,traffic ,collegiate ,training ,initiative program 7in this section referred to as the ,enhanced ,initiative7 to support the recruitment1 education1 and hiring of well-qualified developmental air traffic controllers4 7#b7 ,requirements ,in maintaining the ,enhanced ,initiative under paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator shall1 at a minimum1 include the following criteria3 7,a7 ,selecting and leveraging partnerships with accredited institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #fa4a of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations7 that administer an accredited air traffic curriculum to undergraduate students4 7,b7 ,determining criteria for accredited institutions of higher education to participate in the ,enhanced ,initiative4 7,c7 ,soliciting applications from1 and provide guidance to1 interested accredited institutions of higher education that administer an accredited air traffic curriculum to undergraduate students1 including accredited institutions that participate in the ,collegiate ,training ,initiative1 to help increase qualified accredited institutions participating in the ,enhanced ,initiative4 7#c7 ,selection criteria ,prior to selecting an accredited institution of higher education for participation in the ,enhanced ,initiative1 the ,administrator shall-- 7,a7 evaluate the institution's air traffic curriculum1 including the institution's-- 7i7 access to air traffic educational resources2 and 7ii7 proximity and access to air traffic facilities and equipment2 7,b7 certify that each institution of higher education seeking to participate in the ,enhanced ,initiative has a qualified air traffic curriculum that provides1 at a minimum1 an equivalent level of education and training for air traffic controller trainees to that provided at the ,,faa ,academy2 and 7,c7 certify that all evaluations of students at accredited institutions of higher education seeking to participate in the ,enhanced ,initiative shall be conducted by ,,faa-approved and certified evaluators4 7#d7 ,program expansion ,the ,administrator shall establish a minimum target of certifying #ae qualified institutions of higher education that meet the criteria described in this section for selection to participate in the ,enhanced ,initiative4 ,the qualified institutions of higher education selected for such minimum target shall include any institution of higher education selected and certified by the ,administrator for participation in the ,enhanced ,initiative as of ,january #bj1 #bjbe4 7#e7 ,hiring qualified graduates ,the ,administrator may appoint qualified individuals who have successively completed an air traffic curriculum certified by the ,administrator under paragraph 7#c7 at a participating institution of higher education selected by the ,administrator and received at least a well-qualified score on the ,air ,traffic ,skills ,assessment1 or successor air traffic entrance exam1 on a non-competitive basis for the position of ,air ,traffic ,control ,specialist in the excepted service 7as defined in section #bajc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code74 7#f7 ,supporting the hiring of qualified instructors ,using amounts made available under section #ajf7k77#a7 of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,administrator may award funds to support the recruitment and hiring of qualified faculty and ,,faa-approved and certified evaluators at accredited institutions of higher education that administer an accredited air traffic curriculum to undergraduate students that either-- 7,a7 participate in the ,collegiate ,training ,initiative and are interested and qualified applicants for participation in the ,enhanced ,initiative2 or 7,b7 have been selected by the ,administrator for participation in the ,enhanced ,initiative4 7#g7 ,review of enhanced ,,at-,,cti program 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #e years after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,comptroller ,general shall initiate a study to examine the effectiveness of the ,enhanced ,initiative in increasing ,,faa air traffic controller education and training capacity and throughput to grow the ,,faa air traffic controller workforce4 7,b7 ,contents ,in conducting the study under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,comptroller ,general shall1 at a minimum1 evaluate the effectiveness of the program in producing-- 7i7 students that score at least a well-qualified score on the ,air ,traffic ,skills ,assessment or successor air traffic entrance exam2 7ii7 developmental controllers that enter en route and terminal air traffic environments after completing the ,enhanced ,initiative2 and 7iii7 developmental controllers that become ,certified ,professional ,controllers4 7,c7 ,consultation ,in conducting the study required under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,comptroller ,general shall consult with the ,,faa and appropriate stakeholders involved in overseeing1 operating1 and administering the ,enhanced ,initiative4 7,d7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date the ,comptroller ,general initiates the study under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress and the ,administrator a report describing the results of the study1 together with any appropriate recommendations for legislative or administrative action4 7b7 ,improving ,aviation ,medical ,examiner staffing ,using amounts made available under section #ajf7k77#a7 of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,administrator shall exercise all actions necessary to hire qualified licensed medical physicians with knowledge of or a background in aerospace medicine1 psychiatry1 psychology1 neurology1 cardiology1 or internal medicine in order to-- 7#a7 increase the ,aviation ,medical ,examiner 7as described in section #ahc4ba of title #ad1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations7 workforce2 and 7#b7 achieve maximum staffing capacity within the ,,faa ,office of ,aerospace ,medicine4 7c7 ,air traffic control instructor recruitment program 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,administrator shall develop and execute an air traffic control instructor outreach and engagement program to assist with the recruitment1 hiring1 and retention of air traffic control instructors at the ,,faa ,academy and at ,,faa air traffic control facilities with a demonstrated shortage of air traffic control personnel to provide classroom instruction or on-the-job training4 7#b7 ,requirements ,in executing the program under paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator shall conduct outreach and engagement activities relating to air traffic control instructor career opportunities to air traffic controllers who are within #a year of-- 7,a7 meeting the age and service requirements for an annuity under sections #hccf7;e7 and #hdab7;e7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7,b7 attaining the mandatory separation age for air traffic controllers described in sections #hcce7;a7 and #hdbe7;a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#c7 ,consideration ,in developing the outreach and engagement program1 the ,administrator may consider the results of the study conducted in section #daf of the ,,faa ,reauthorization ,act of #bjbd 7,public ,law #aah-fc1 #ach ,stat4 #aafa74 7#d7 ,publication ,in executing the program under paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator shall make publicly available on the website of the ,,faa1 in a conspicuous manner1 qualification criteria and hiring materials relating to air traffic control instructor careers1 including active job postings for air traffic control instructors4 #aa4 ,,taram analyses 7a7 ,assessment 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall conduct a ,transport ,airplane ,risk ,assessment ,methodology 7in this section referred to as ,,taram7 analysis with respect to any transport airplane accidents in the ,united ,states that result in a fatality1 regardless of whether an aircraft design or a manufacturing issue is believed to have contributed to the accident4 7#b7 ,report ,not later than #cj days after conducting a ,,taram analysis in accordance with paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report containing the results of the analysis1 together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the ,administrator determines appropriate4 7#c7 ,employee designation ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,administrator shall designate multiple employees of the ,,faa as experts for the ,,taram analysis process who shall be responsible for the advocacy1 maintenance1 and training of ,,taram guidance and processes1 including updating ,,faa ,policy ,statement ,,ps-,,anm-#be-je1 ,risk ,assessment ,methodology for ,transport ,category ,airplanes 7dated ,november #d1 #bjaa7 to reflect1 among other things1 current ,national ,transportation ,safety ,board accident rates4 7b7 ,required updates ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,administrator shall revise ,,faa ,policy ,statement ,,ps-,,anm-#be-je1 ,risk ,assessment ,methodology for ,transport ,category ,airplanes 7dated ,november #d1 #bjaa7 and any successor policy statement in accordance with the requirements of this section4 7c7 ,conforming amendment ,section #acj7;c7 of the ,aircraft ,certification1 ,safety1 and ,accountability ,act 7,public ,law #aaf-bfj2 #acd ,stat4 #bcdi7 is amended to read as follows3 7c7 ,required notice ,the ,administrator shall provide notice to the congressional committees of jurisdiction on the findings and recommendations of a ,,taram conducted following a transport airplane accident in which a loss of life occurred4 4 #ab4 ,employee reporting 7a7 ,whistleblower audit 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,transportation shall initiate an audit of the ,,faa1 including the ,,faa ,whistleblower ,protection ,program1 to review whether the ,,faa is appropriately processing and acting on submitted complaints4 7#b7 ,requirement ,the audit conducted under paragraph 7#a7 shall not compromise the identity of any individual who submitted a report through the ,whistleblower ,protection ,program or the ,,faa ,hotline of the ,,faa ,office of ,audit and ,evaluation4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,transportation shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report containing the results of the audit conducted under subsection 7a71 together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the ,inspector ,general determines appropriate4 #ac4 ,conflicts of interest 7a7 ,interim final rule ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary of ,transportation shall issue an interim final rule to require strict adherence to the requirements described in section #bjh of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code4 7b7 ,compliance review and briefing ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,transportation shall review the ,department of ,transportation's compliance with the requirements of this section and identify any applicable conflict of interest waivers granted by the ,federal ,government for the ,department of ,transportation relating to ,department of ,transportation and ,,faa employees1 contracting1 acquisition1 and procurement1 and shall brief the appropriate committees of ,congress about the findings of such review4