Pending Legislation
Surface Transportation Authorization

Status  

Once again Congress was not able to complete action on a multi-year FAA authorization bill.  Both the House and Senate have completed their respective bills, but the inability to resolve a few controversial issues has held up final passage.  Since the latest short-term extension was due to run out on July 30, last week Congress quickly passed yet another extension (HR 5900), this time until September 30.  However, rather than passing a "clean" extension, as they have done in the past, they opted to include a package of aviation safety provisions in response to pressure from safety groups and relatives of those killed in the 2009 Colgan Air commuter plane crash in upstate New York. 

The hope is to finalize the multi-year bill in September, however, there is concern that without the political pressure from the safety advocates and given the short amount of time left in the session, the bill might not be completed.  The multi-year bill includes numerous provisions of interest to the engineering industry, including a reauthorization of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) which funds airport construction and a potential increase in the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) which also funds capital construction.

Further complicating final action is the fact that the Senate leadership took over the legislative vehicle being used to move the multi-year FAA authorization, making it likely that each house will have to begin the process anew in September. 

House Bill  

Senate  

Conference  

Comparisons of House and Senate Bill Provisions: