1. U.S. Code
  2. title 49
  3. subtitle VII
  4. part B
  5. chapter 471
  6. subchapter I
  7. § 47103

Collapse to view only § 47103. National plan of integrated airport systems

§ 47101. Policies
(a)General.—It is the policy of the United States—
(1) that the safe operation of the airport and airway system is the highest aviation priority;
(2) that projects, activities, and actions that prevent runway incursions serve to—
(A) improve airport surface surveillance; and
(B) mitigate surface safety risks that are essential to ensuring the safe operation of the airport and airway system;
(3) that aviation facilities be constructed and operated to minimize current and projected noise impact on nearby communities;
(4) to give special emphasis to developing reliever airports;
(5) that appropriate provisions should be made to make the development and enhancement of cargo hub airports easier;
(6) to encourage the development of intermodal connections on airport property between aeronautical and other transportation modes and systems to serve air transportation passengers and cargo efficiently and effectively and promote economic development;
(7) that airport development projects under this subchapter provide for the protection and enhancement of natural resources and the quality of the environment of the United States;
(8) that airport construction and improvement projects that increase the capacity of facilities to accommodate passenger and cargo traffic be undertaken to the maximum feasible extent so that safety and efficiency increase and delays decrease;
(9) to ensure that nonaviation usage of the navigable airspace be accommodated but not allowed to decrease the safety and capacity of the airspace and airport system;
(10) that artificial restrictions on airport capacity—
(A) are not in the public interest;
(B) should be imposed to alleviate air traffic delays only after other reasonably available and less burdensome alternatives have been tried; and
(C) should not discriminate unjustly between categories and classes of aircraft;
(11) that special emphasis should be placed on converting appropriate former military air bases to civil use and identifying and improving additional joint-use facilities;
(12) that the airport improvement program should be administered to encourage projects that employ innovative technology (including integrated in-pavement lighting systems for runways and taxiways and other runway and taxiway incursion prevention devices), concepts, and approaches that will promote safety, capacity, and efficiency improvements in the construction of airports and in the air transportation system (including the development and use of innovative concrete and other materials in the construction of airport facilities to minimize initial laydown costs, minimize time out of service, and maximize lifecycle durability) and to encourage and solicit innovative technology proposals and activities in the expenditure of funding pursuant to this subchapter;
(13) that airport fees, rates, and charges must be reasonable and may only be used for purposes not prohibited by this subchapter; and
(14) that airports should be as self-sustaining as possible under the circumstances existing at each particular airport and in establishing new fees, rates, and charges, and generating revenues from all sources, airport owners and operators should not seek to create revenue surpluses that exceed the amounts to be used for airport system purposes and for other purposes for which airport revenues may be spent under section 47107(b)(1) of this title, including reasonable reserves and other funds to facilitate financing and cover contingencies.
(b)National Transportation Policy.—
(1) It is a goal of the United States to develop a national intermodal transportation system that transports passengers and property in an efficient manner. The future economic direction of the United States depends on its ability to confront directly the enormous challenges of the global economy, declining productivity growth, energy vulnerability, air pollution, and the need to rebuild the infrastructure of the United States.
(2) United States leadership in the world economy, the expanding wealth of the United States, the competitiveness of the industry of the United States, the standard of living, and the quality of life are at stake.
(3) A national intermodal transportation system is a coordinated, flexible network of diverse but complementary forms of transportation that transports passengers and property in the most efficient manner. By reducing transportation costs, these intermodal systems will enhance the ability of the industry of the United States to compete in the global marketplace.
(4) All forms of transportation, including aviation and other transportation systems of the future, will be full partners in the effort to reduce energy consumption and air pollution while promoting economic development.
(5) An intermodal transportation system consists of transportation hubs that connect different forms of appropriate transportation and provides users with the most efficient means of transportation and with access to commercial centers, business locations, population centers, and the vast rural areas of the United States, as well as providing links to other forms of transportation and to intercity connections.
(6) Intermodality and flexibility are paramount issues in the process of developing an integrated system that will obtain the optimum yield of United States resources.
(7) The United States transportation infrastructure must be reshaped to provide the economic underpinnings for the United States to compete in the 21st century global economy. The United States can no longer rely on the sheer size of its economy to dominate international economic rivals and must recognize fully that its economy is no longer a separate entity but is part of the global marketplace. The future economic prosperity of the United States depends on its ability to compete in an international marketplace that is teeming with competitors but in which a full one-quarter of the economic activity of the United States takes place.
(8) The United States must make a national commitment to rebuild its infrastructure through development of a national intermodal transportation system. The United States must provide the foundation for its industries to improve productivity and their ability to compete in the global economy with a system that will transport passengers and property in an efficient manner.
(c)Capacity Expansion and Noise Abatement.—It is in the public interest to recognize the effects of airport capacity expansion projects on aircraft noise. Efforts to increase capacity through any means can have an impact on surrounding communities. Noncompatible land uses around airports must be reduced and efforts to mitigate noise must be given a high priority.
(d)Consistency With Air Commerce and Safety Policies.—Each airport and airway program should be carried out consistently with section 40101(a), (b), (d), and (f) of this title to foster competition, prevent unfair methods of competition in air transportation, maintain essential air transportation, and prevent unjust and discriminatory practices, including as the practices may be applied between categories and classes of aircraft.
(e)Adequacy of Navigation Aids and Airport Facilities.—This subchapter should be carried out to provide adequate navigation aids and airport facilities for places at which scheduled commercial air service is provided. The facilities provided may include—
(1) reliever airports; and
(2) heliports designated by the Secretary of Transportation to relieve congestion at commercial service airports by diverting aircraft passengers from fixed-wing aircraft to helicopter carriers.
(f)Maximum Use of Safety Facilities.—This subchapter should be carried out consistently with a comprehensive airspace system plan, giving highest priority to commercial service airports, to maximize the use of safety facilities, including installing, operating, and maintaining, to the extent possible with available money and considering other safety needs—
(1) electronic or visual vertical guidance on each runway;
(2) grooving or friction treatment of each primary and secondary runway;
(3) distance-to-go signs for each primary and secondary runway;
(4) a precision approach system, a vertical visual guidance system, and a full approach light system for each primary runway;
(5) a nonprecision instrument approach for each secondary runway;
(6) runway end identifier lights on each runway that does not have an approach light system;
(7) a surface movement radar system at each category III airport;
(8) a taxiway lighting and sign system;
(9) runway edge lighting and marking;
(10) radar approach coverage for each airport terminal area; and
(11) runway and taxiway incursion prevention devices, including integrated in-pavement lighting systems for runways and taxiways.
(g)Intermodal Planning.—To carry out the policy of subsection (a)(6) of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall take each of the following actions:
(1)Coordination in development of airport plans and programs.—Cooperate with State and local officials in developing airport plans and programs that are based on overall transportation needs. The airport plans and programs shall be developed in coordination with other transportation planning and considering comprehensive long-range land-use plans and overall social, economic, environmental (including long-term resilience from the impact of natural hazards and severe weather events), system performance, and energy conservation objectives. The process of developing airport plans and programs shall be continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive to the degree appropriate to the complexity of the transportation problems.
(2)Goals for airport master and system plans.—Encourage airport sponsors and State and local officials to develop airport master plans and airport system plans that—
(A) foster effective coordination between aviation planning and metropolitan planning;
(B) include an evaluation of aviation needs within the context of multimodal planning;
(C) consider passenger convenience, airport ground access, and access to airport facilities;
(D) are integrated with metropolitan plans to ensure that airport development proposals include adequate consideration of land use and ground transportation access; and
(E) consider the impact of hazardous weather events on long-term operational resilience.
(3)Representation of airport operators on mpo’s.—Encourage metropolitan planning organizations, particularly in areas with populations greater than 200,000, to establish membership positions for airport operators.
(h)Consultation.—To carry out the policy of subsection (a)(7) of this section, the Secretary of Transportation may consult with the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency about any project included in a project grant application involving the location of an airport or runway, or a major runway extension, that may have a significant effect on—
(1) natural resources, including fish and wildlife;
(2) natural, scenic, and recreation assets;
(3) water and air quality; or
(4) another factor affecting the environment.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1246; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, §§ 104, 110, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1571, 1573; Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(62), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4385; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 141, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3220; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, §§ 121(a), (b), 137(a), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 74, 85; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 131, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 21; Pub. L. 118–63, title III, § 347(a)(1), (2), title VII, §§ 701, 781, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1104, 1245, 1302.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47101

§ 47102. DefinitionsIn this subchapter—
(1) “air carrier” has the meaning given such term in section 40102.
(2) “airport”—
(A) means—
(i) an area of land or water used or intended to be used for the landing and taking off of aircraft;
(ii) an appurtenant area used or intended to be used for airport buildings or other airport facilities or rights of way; and
(iii) airport buildings and facilities located in any of those areas; and
(B) includes a heliport.
(3) “airport development” means the following activities, if undertaken by the sponsor, owner, or operator of a public-use airport:
(A) constructing, repairing, or improving a public-use airport, including—
(i) removing, lowering, relocating, marking, and lighting an airport hazard;
(ii) preparing a plan or specification, including carrying out a field investigation; and
(iii) a secondary runway at a nonhub airport that is equivalent in size and type to the primary runway of such airport.
(B) acquiring for, or installing at, a public-use airport—
(i) a navigation aid or another aid (including a precision approach system) used by aircraft for landing at or taking off from the airport, including preparing the site as required by the acquisition or installation;
(ii) safety or security equipment, including explosive detection devices, universal access systems, and emergency call boxes, the Secretary requires by regulation for, or approves as contributing significantly to, the safety or security of individuals and property at the airport and integrated in-pavement lighting systems for runways and taxiways and other runway and taxiway incursion prevention devices;
(iii) equipment to remove snow, to measure runway surface friction, or for aviation-related weather reporting, including closed circuit weather surveillance equipment and fuel infrastructure for such equipment to remove snow if the airport is located in Alaska;
(iv) firefighting and rescue equipment at an airport that serves scheduled passenger operations of air carrier aircraft designed for more than 9 passenger seats;
(v) aircraft deicing equipment and structures (except aircraft deicing fluids and storage facilities for the equipment and fluids);
(vi) interactive training systems;
(vii) windshear detection equipment that is certified by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration;
(viii) stainless steel adjustable lighting extensions approved by the Administrator;
(ix) engineered materials arresting systems as described in the Advisory Circular No. 150/5220–22 published by the Federal Aviation Administration on August 21, 1998, including any revision to the circular;
(x) replacement of baggage conveyor systems, and reconfiguration of terminal baggage areas, that the Secretary determines are necessary to install bulk explosive detection devices; except that such activities shall be eligible for funding under this subchapter only using amounts apportioned under section 47114; and
(xi) a medium intensity approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights.
(C) acquiring an interest in land or airspace, including land for future airport development, that is needed—
(i) to carry out airport development described in subclause (A) or (B) of this clause; or
(ii) to remove or mitigate an existing airport hazard or prevent or limit the creation of a new airport hazard.
(D) acquiring land for, or constructing, a burn area training structure on or off the airport to provide live fire drill training for aircraft rescue and firefighting personnel required to receive the training under regulations the Secretary prescribes, including basic equipment and minimum structures to support the training under standards the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration prescribes.
(E) relocating an air traffic control tower and any navigational aid (including radar) if the relocation is necessary to carry out a project approved by the Secretary under this subchapter or under section 40117.
(F) constructing, reconstructing, repairing, or improving an airport, or purchasing capital equipment for an airport, if necessary for compliance with the responsibilities of the operator or owner of the airport under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), except constructing or purchasing capital equipment that would benefit primarily a revenue-producing area of the airport used by a nonaeronautical business.
(G) acquiring land for, or work necessary to construct, a pad suitable for deicing aircraft before takeoff at a commercial service airport, including constructing or reconstructing paved areas, drainage collection structures, treatment and discharge systems, appropriate lighting, paved access for deicing vehicles and aircraft, and including acquiring glycol recovery vehicles, but not including acquiring aircraft deicing fluids or constructing or reconstructing storage facilities for aircraft deicing equipment or fluids.
(H) routine work to preserve and extend the useful life of runways, taxiways, and aprons at nonhub airports and airports that are not primary airports, under guidelines issued by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
(I) constructing, reconstructing, or improving an airport, or purchasing nonrevenue generating capital equipment to be owned by an airport, for the purpose of transferring passengers, cargo, or baggage between the aeronautical and ground transportation modes on airport property.
(J) constructing an air traffic control tower or acquiring and installing air traffic control, communications, and related equipment at an air traffic control tower under the terms specified in section 47124(b)(4).
(K) work necessary to construct or modify airport facilities to provide low-emission fuel systems, gate electrification, and other related air quality improvements at a commercial service airport.
(L) a project by a commercial service airport for the acquisition of airport-owned vehicles or ground support equipment equipped with low-emission technology if the vehicles are;
(i) used exclusively on airport property; or
(ii) used exclusively to transport passengers and employees between the airport and the airport’s consolidated rental car facility or an intermodal surface transportation facility adjacent to the airport.
(M) construction of mobile refueler parking within a fuel farm at a nonprimary airport meeting the requirements of section 112.8 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
(N) terminal development under section 47119(a).
(O) acquiring and installing facilities and equipment to provide air conditioning, heating, or electric power from terminal-based, nonexclusive use facilities to aircraft parked at a public use airport for the purpose of reducing energy use or harmful emissions as compared to the provision of such air conditioning, heating, or electric power from aircraft-based systems.
(P) an on-airport project to improve reliability and efficiency of the power supply of the airport or meet current and future electrical power demand and to prevent power disruptions to the airfield, passenger terminal, and any other airport facilities, including the acquisition and installation of electrical generators, renewable energy generation and storage infrastructure (including necessary substation upgrades to support such infrastructure), separation of the airport’s main power supply from its redundant power supply, the construction or modification of airport facilities to install a microgrid (as defined in section 641 of the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17231)), and smart glass (including electrochromic glass).
(Q) converting or retrofitting vehicles and ground support equipment into eligible zero-emission vehicles and equipment (as defined in section 47136) and for acquiring, by purchase or lease, eligible zero-emission vehicles and equipment.
(R) predevelopment planning, including financial, legal, or procurement consulting services, related to an application or proposed application for an exemption under section 47134.
(S) acquisition of advanced digital construction management systems and related technology used in the planning, design and engineering, construction, and maintenance of airport facilities when such systems or technologies are acquired to carry out a project approved by the Secretary under this subchapter.
(T) improvements, or planning for improvements (including monitoring equipment or services), that would be necessary to sustain commercial service flight operations or permit the resumption of such flight operations following a natural disaster (including an earthquake, flooding, high water, wildfires, hurricane, storm surge, tidal wave, tornado, tsunami, wind driven water, sea level rise, tropical storm, cyclone, land instability, or winter storm) at—
(i) a primary airport; or
(ii) a nonprimary airport that is designated as a Federal staging area or incident support base by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(U) a project to comply with rulemakings and recommendations on airport cybersecurity standards from the aviation rulemaking committee convened under section 395 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
(V) reconstructing or rehabilitating an existing crosswind runway (regardless of the wind coverage of the primary runway) if the reconstruction or rehabilitation of such crosswind runway is in the most recently approved airport layout plan of the sponsor.
(W) constructing or acquiring such airport-owned infrastructure or equipment, notwithstanding revenue producing capability of such infrastructure or equipment, as may be required for—
(i) the on-airport distribution or storage of unleaded aviation gasoline for piston-driven aircraft, including on-airport construction or expansion of pipelines, storage tanks, low-emission fuel systems, and airport-owned fuel trucks providing exclusively unleaded aviation fuels (unless the Secretary determines that an alternative fuel may be safely used in such fuel truck for a limited time); or
(ii) fueling systems for type certificated hydrogen-powered aircraft.
(X) constructing, reconstructing, or rehabilitating a taxiway or taxilane that serves non-exclusive use aeronautical facilities, including aircraft storage facilities, except for the 50 feet of pavement immediately in front of an ineligible building.
(Y) any other activity (excluding terminal development) that the Secretary concludes will reasonably improve the safety of the airport.
(4) “airport hazard” means a structure or object of natural growth located on or near a public-use airport, or a use of land near the airport, that obstructs or otherwise is hazardous to the landing or taking off of aircraft at or from the airport.
(5) “airport planning” means planning as defined by requirements the Secretary prescribes and includes—
(A) integrated airport system planning and catchment area analyses;
(B) developing an environmental management system;
(C) developing a plan for recycling and minimizing the generation of airport solid waste, consistent with applicable State and local recycling laws, including the cost of a waste audit; and
(D) assessing current and future electrical power demand for airport airside and landside activities.
(6) “amount made available under section 48103” or “amount newly made available” means the amount authorized for grants under section 48103 as that amount may be limited in that year by a subsequent law, but as determined without regard to grant obligation recoveries made in that year or amounts covered by section 47107(f).
(7) “commercial service airport” means a public airport in a State that the Secretary determines has at least 2,500 passenger boardings each year and is receiving scheduled passenger aircraft service.
(8) “general aviation airport” means a public-use airport that is located in a State and that, as determined by the Secretary—
(A) does not have scheduled service; or
(B) has scheduled service with less than 2,500 passenger boardings each year.
(9) “integrated airport system planning” means developing for planning purposes information and guidance to decide the extent, kind, location, and timing of airport development needed in a specific area to establish a viable, balanced, and integrated system of public-use airports, including—
(A) identifying system needs;
(B) developing an estimate of systemwide development costs;
(C) conducting studies, surveys, and other planning actions, including those related to airport access, needed to decide which aeronautical needs should be met by a system of airports; and
(D) standards prescribed by a State, except standards for safety of approaches, for airport development at nonprimary public-use airports.
(10) “landed weight” means the weight of aircraft transporting only cargo in intrastate, interstate, and foreign air transportation, as the Secretary determines under regulations the Secretary prescribes.
(11) “large hub airport” means a commercial service airport that has at least 1.0 percent of the passenger boardings.
(12) “low-emission technology” means technology for vehicles and equipment whose emission performance is the best achievable under emission standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency and that relies exclusively on alternative fuels that are substantially nonpetroleum based, as defined by the Department of Energy, but not excluding hybrid systems or natural gas powered vehicles.
(13) “medium hub airport” means a commercial service airport that has at least 0.25 percent but less than 1.0 percent of the passenger boardings.
(14) “nonhub airport” means a commercial service airport that has less than 0.05 percent of the passenger boardings.
(15) “passenger boardings”—
(A) means, unless the context indicates otherwise, revenue passenger boardings in the United States in the prior calendar year on an aircraft in service in air commerce, as the Secretary determines under regulations the Secretary prescribes; and
(B) includes passengers who continue on an aircraft in international flight that stops at an airport in the 48 contiguous States, Alaska, or Hawaii for a nontraffic purpose.
(16) “primary airport” means a commercial service airport the Secretary determines to have more than 10,000 passenger boardings each year.
(17) “project” means a project, separate projects included in one project grant application, or all projects to be undertaken at an airport in a fiscal year, to achieve airport development or airport planning.
(18) “project cost” means a cost involved in carrying out a project.
(19) “project grant” means a grant of money the Secretary makes to a sponsor to carry out at least one project.
(20) “public agency” means—
(A) a State or political subdivision of a State;
(B) a tax-supported organization;
(C) an Indian tribe or pueblo; or
(D) the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau.
(21) “public airport” means an airport used or intended to be used for public purposes—
(A) that is under the control of a public agency; and
(B) of which the area used or intended to be used for the landing, taking off, or surface maneuvering of aircraft is publicly owned.
(22) “public-use airport” means—
(A) a public airport; or
(B) a privately-owned airport used or intended to be used for public purposes that is—
(i) a reliever airport; or
(ii) determined by the Secretary to have at least 2,500 passenger boardings each year and to receive scheduled passenger aircraft service.
(23) “reliever airport” means an airport the Secretary designates to relieve congestion at a commercial service airport and to provide more general aviation access to the overall community.
(24) “revenue producing aeronautical support facilities” means fuel farms, hangar buildings, self-service credit card aeronautical fueling systems, airplane wash racks, major rehabilitation of a hangar owned by a sponsor, or other aeronautical support facilities that the Secretary determines will increase the revenue producing ability of the airport.
(25) “small hub airport” means a commercial service airport that has at least 0.05 percent but less than 0.25 percent of the passenger boardings.
(26) “sponsor” means—
(A) a public agency that submits to the Secretary under this subchapter an application for financial assistance; and
(B) a private owner of a public-use airport that submits to the Secretary under this subchapter an application for financial assistance for the airport.
(27) “State” means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.
(28) “terminal development” means—
(A) development of—
(i) an airport passenger terminal building, including terminal gates;
(ii) access roads servicing exclusively airport traffic that leads directly to or from an airport passenger terminal building; and
(iii) walkways that lead directly to or from an airport passenger terminal building; and
(B) the cost of a vehicle for moving passengers and baggage between terminal facilities and between terminal facilities and aircraft.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1248; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 105, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1572; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 142(b)(1), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3221; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, §§ 121(c), 122, 123(b), 137(b), title V, § 514(a), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 74, 75, 85, 144; Pub. L. 107–71, title I, § 119(a)(1), (5), Nov. 19, 2001, 115 Stat. 628, 629; Pub. L. 108–7, div. I, title III, § 370(a), Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 424; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, §§ 141, 142, 159(b)(1), (d), title VIII, § 801(a), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2503, 2510, 2511, 2586; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 132, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 21; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 165, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3225; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 702, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1246.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47102

§ 47103. National plan of integrated airport systems
(a)General Requirements and Considerations.—The Secretary of Transportation shall maintain the plan for developing public-use airports in the United States, named “the national plan of integrated airport systems”. The plan shall include the kind and estimated cost of eligible airport development the Secretary of Transportation considers necessary to provide a safe, efficient, and integrated system of public-use airports adequate to anticipate and meet the needs of civil aeronautics, to meet the national defense requirements of the Secretary of Defense, and to meet identified needs of the United States Postal Service. Airport development included in the plan may not be limited to meeting the needs of any particular classes or categories of public-use airports. In maintaining the plan, the Secretary of Transportation shall consider the needs of each segment of civil aviation and the relationship of the airport system to—
(1) the rest of the transportation system, including connection to the surface transportation network; and
(2) forecasted technological developments in aeronautics.
(b)Specific Requirements.—In maintaining the plan, the Secretary of Transportation shall—
(1) to the extent possible and as appropriate, consult with departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States Government, with public agencies, and with the aviation community; and
(2) make every reasonable effort to address the needs of air cargo operations and rotary wing aircraft operations.
(c)Availability of Domestic Military Airports and Airport Facilities.—To the extent possible, the Secretary of Defense shall make domestic military airports and airport facilities available for civil use. In advising the Secretary of Transportation under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Defense shall indicate the extent to which domestic military airports and airport facilities are available for civil use.
(d)Non-compliant Airports.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary shall include in the plan a detailed statement listing airports the Secretary has reason to believe are not in compliance with grant assurances or other requirements with respect to airport lands and shall include—
(A) the circumstances of noncompliance;
(B) the timeline for corrective action with respect to such noncompliance; and
(C) any corrective action the Secretary intends to require to bring the airport sponsor into compliance.
(2)Listing.—The Secretary is not required to conduct an audit or make a final determination before including an airport on the list referred to in paragraph (1).
(e)Publication.—The Secretary of Transportation shall publish the plan every 2 years.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1251; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 152(a), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 32; Pub. L. 118–63, title II, § 218(e),

CITE AS: 49 USC 47103

§ 47104. Project grant authority
(a)General Authority.—To maintain a safe and efficient nationwide system of public-use airports that meets the present and future needs of civil aeronautics, the Secretary of Transportation may make project grants under this subchapter from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
(b)Incurring Obligations.—The Secretary may incur obligations to make grants from amounts made available under section 48103 of this title as soon as the amounts are apportioned under section 47114(c) and (d)(2) of this title.
(c)Expiration of Authority.—After September 30, 2028, the Secretary may not incur obligations under subsection (b) of this section, except for obligations of amounts—
(1) remaining available after that date under section 47117(b) of this title; or
(2) recovered by the United States Government from grants made under this chapter if the amounts are obligated only for increases under section 47108(b)(2) and (3) of this title in the maximum amount of obligations of the Government for any other grant made under this title.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1252; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 101(b), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1571; Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(63), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4385; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 101(b), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3216; Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title I, § 110(b)(2), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–587; Pub. L. 106–6, § 2(b), Mar. 31, 1999, 113 Stat. 10; Pub. L. 106–31, title VI, § 6002(b), May 21, 1999, 113 Stat. 113; Pub. L. 106–59, § 1(b), Sept. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 482; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 101(b), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 65; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 101(b), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2494; Pub. L. 110–190, § 4(b), Feb. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 644; Pub. L. 110–253, § 4(b), June 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2418; Pub. L. 110–330, § 4(b), Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3718; Pub. L. 111–12, § 4(b), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1458; Pub. L. 111–69, § 4(b), Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2055; Pub. L. 111–116, § 4(b), Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3032; Pub. L. 111–153, § 4(b), Mar. 31, 2010, 124 Stat. 1085; Pub. L. 111–161, § 4(b), Apr. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1127; Pub. L. 111–197, § 4(b), July 2, 2010, 124 Stat. 1354; Pub. L. 111–216, title I, § 103, Aug. 1, 2010, 124 Stat. 2349; Pub. L. 111–249, § 4(b), Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628; Pub. L. 111–329, § 4(b), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3567; Pub. L. 112–7, § 4(b), Mar. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 32; Pub. L. 112–16, § 4(b), May 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 219; Pub. L. 112–21, § 4(b), June 29, 2011, 125 Stat. 234; Pub. L. 112–27, § 4(b), Aug. 5, 2011, 125 Stat. 271; Pub. L. 112–30, title II, § 204(b), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 358; Pub. L. 112–91, § 4(b), Jan. 31, 2012, 126 Stat. 4; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 101(b), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 15; Pub. L. 114–55, title I, § 101(b), Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 523; Pub. L. 114–141, title I, § 101(b), Mar. 30, 2016, 130 Stat. 323; Pub. L. 114–190, title I, § 1101(b), July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 115–63, title I, § 101(b), Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1169; Pub. L. 115–141, div. M, title I, § 101(b), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1046; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 111(b), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3199; Pub. L. 118–15, div. B, title II, § 2201(d), Sept. 30, 2023, 137 Stat. 82; Pub. L. 118–34, title I, § 101(d), Dec. 26, 2023, 137 Stat. 1113; Pub. L. 118–41, title I, § 101(d), Mar. 8, 2024, 138 Stat. 21; Pub. L. 118–63, title I, § 101(b), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1033.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47104

§ 47105. Project grant applications
(a)Submission and Consultation.—
(1) An application for a project grant under this subchapter may be submitted to the Secretary of Transportation by—
(A) a sponsor; or
(B) a State, as the only sponsor, for an airport development project benefitting 1 or more airports in the State or for airport planning for projects for 1 or more airports in the State if—
(i) the sponsor of each airport gives written consent that the State be the applicant;
(ii) the Secretary is satisfied there is administrative merit and aeronautical benefit in the State being the sponsor; and
(iii) an acceptable agreement exists that ensures that the State will comply with appropriate grant conditions and other assurances the Secretary requires.
(2) Before deciding to undertake an airport development project at an airport under this subchapter, a sponsor shall consult with the airport users that will be affected by the project.
(3) This subsection does not authorize a public agency that is subject to the laws of a State to apply for a project grant in violation of a law of the State.
(b)Contents and Form.—An application for a project grant under this subchapter—
(1) shall describe the project proposed to be undertaken;
(2) may propose a project only for a public-use airport included in the current national plan of integrated airport systems;
(3) may propose airport development only if the development complies with standards the Secretary prescribes or approves, including standards for site location, airport layout, site preparation, paving, lighting, and safety of approaches; and
(4) shall be in the form and contain other information the Secretary prescribes.
(c)State Standards for Airport Development.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary may approve standards (except standards for safety of approaches) that a State prescribes for airport development at nonprimary public-use airports in the State. On approval under this subsection, a State’s standards apply to the nonprimary public-use airports in the State instead of the comparable standards prescribed by the Secretary under subsection (b)(3) of this section. The Secretary, or the State with the approval of the Secretary, may revise standards approved under this subsection.
(2)Pavement standards.—
(A)Technical assistance.—At the request of a State, the Secretary shall, not later than 30 days after the date of the request, provide technical assistance to the State in developing standards, acceptable to the Secretary under subparagraph (B), for pavement on nonprimary public-use airports in the State.
(B)Requirements.—The Secretary shall—
(i) continue to provide technical assistance under subparagraph (A) until the standards are approved under paragraph (1); and
(ii) clearly indicate to the State the standards that are acceptable to the Secretary, considering, at a minimum, local conditions and locally available materials.
(d)Certification of Compliance.—The Secretary may require a sponsor to certify that the sponsor will comply with this subchapter in carrying out the project. The Secretary may rescind the acceptance of a certification at any time. This subsection does not affect an obligation or responsibility of the Secretary under another law of the United States.
(e)Preventive Maintenance.—After January 1, 1995, the Secretary may approve an application under this subchapter for the replacement or reconstruction of pavement at an airport only if the sponsor has provided such assurances or certifications as the Secretary may determine appropriate that such airport has implemented an effective airport pavement maintenance-management program. The Secretary may require such reports on pavement condition and pavement management programs as the Secretary determines may be useful.
(f)Notification.—The sponsor of an airport for which an amount is apportioned under section 47114(c) of this title shall notify the Secretary of the fiscal year in which the sponsor intends to submit a project grant application for the apportioned amount. The notification shall be given by the time and contain the information the Secretary prescribes.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1253; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, §§ 106, 107(a), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1572; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 183, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3233.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47105

§ 47106. Project grant application approval conditioned on satisfaction of project requirements
(a)Project Grant Application Approval.—The Secretary of Transportation may approve an application under this subchapter for a project grant only if the Secretary is satisfied that—
(1) the project is consistent with plans (existing at the time the project is approved) of public agencies authorized by the State in which the airport is located to plan for the development of the area surrounding the airport;
(2) the project will contribute to carrying out this subchapter;
(3) enough money is available to pay the project costs that will not be paid by the United States Government under this subchapter;
(4) the project will be completed without unreasonable delay;
(5) the sponsor has authority to carry out the project as proposed;
(6) if the project is for an airport that has an airport master plan that includes the project, the master plan addresses issues relating to solid waste recycling at the airport, including—
(A) the feasibility of solid waste recycling at the airport;
(B) minimizing the generation of solid waste at the airport;
(C) operation and maintenance requirements;
(D) the review of waste management contracts; and
(E) the potential for cost savings or the generation of revenue; and
(7) if the project is at an airport that is listed as having an unclassified status under the most recent national plan of integrated airport systems (as described in section 47103), the project will be funded with an amount appropriated under section 47114(d)(2)(B) and is—
(A) for maintenance of the pavement of the primary runway;
(B) for obstruction removal for the primary runway;
(C) for the rehabilitation of the primary runway; or
(D) for a project that the Secretary considers necessary for the safe operation of the airport.
(b)Airport Development Project Grant Application Approval.—The Secretary may approve an application under this subchapter for an airport development project grant for an airport only if the Secretary is satisfied that—
(1) the sponsor, a public agency, or the Government holds good title to the areas of the airport used or intended to be used for the landing, taking off, or surface maneuvering of aircraft, or that good title will be acquired;
(2) the interests of the community in or near which the project may be located have been given fair consideration; and
(3) the application provides touchdown zone and centerline runway lighting, high intensity runway lighting, or land necessary for installing approach light systems that the Secretary, considering the category of the airport and the kind and volume of traffic using it, decides is necessary for safe and efficient use of the airport by aircraft.
(c)Environmental Requirements.—
(1) The Secretary may approve an application under this subchapter for an airport development project involving the location of an airport or runway or a major runway extension—
(A) only if the sponsor certifies to the Secretary that—
(i) an opportunity for a public hearing was given to consider the economic, social, and environmental effects of the location and the location’s consistency with the objectives of any planning that the community has carried out;
(ii) the airport management board has voting representation from the communities in which the project is located or has advised the communities that they have the right to petition the Secretary about a proposed project; and
(iii) with respect to an airport development project involving the location of an airport, runway, or major runway extension at a medium or large hub airport, the airport sponsor has made available to and has provided upon request to the metropolitan planning organization in the area in which the airport is located, if any, a copy of the proposed amendment to the airport layout plan to depict the project and a copy of any airport master plan in which the project is described or depicted; and
(B) if the application is found to have a significant adverse effect on natural resources, including fish and wildlife, natural, scenic, and recreation assets, water and air quality, or another factor affecting the environment, only after finding that no possible and prudent alternative to the project exists and that every reasonable step has been taken to minimize the adverse effect.
(2) The Secretary may approve an application under this subchapter for an airport development project that does not involve the location of an airport or runway, or a major runway extension, at an existing airport without requiring an environmental impact statement related to noise for the project if—
(A) completing the project would allow operations at the airport involving aircraft complying with the noise standards prescribed for “stage 3” aircraft in section 36.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to replace existing operations involving aircraft that do not comply with those standards; and
(B) the project meets the other requirements under this subchapter.
(3) At the Secretary’s request, the sponsor shall give the Secretary a copy of the transcript of any hearing held under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection.
(4) The Secretary may make a finding under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection only after completely reviewing the matter. The review and finding must be a matter of public record.
(d)Withholding Approval.—
(1) The Secretary may withhold approval of an application under this subchapter for amounts apportioned under section 47114(c) and (e) of this title for violating an assurance or requirement of this subchapter only if—
(A) the Secretary provides the sponsor an opportunity for a hearing; and
(B) not later than 180 days after the later of the date of the application or the date the Secretary discovers the noncompliance, the Secretary finds that a violation has occurred.
(2) The 180-day period may be extended by—
(A) agreement between the Secretary and the sponsor; or
(B) the hearing officer if the officer decides an extension is necessary because the sponsor did not follow the schedule the officer established.
(3) A person adversely affected by an order of the Secretary withholding approval may obtain review of the order by filing a petition in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or in the court of appeals of the United States for the circuit in which the project is located. The action must be brought not later than 60 days after the order is served on the petitioner.
(e)Reports Relating to Construction of Certain New Hub Airports.—At least 90 days prior to the approval under this subchapter of a project grant application for construction of a new hub airport that is expected to have 0.25 percent or more of the total annual enplanements in the United States, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report analyzing the anticipated impact of such proposed new airport on—
(1) the fees charged to air carriers (including landing fees), and other costs that will be incurred by air carriers, for using the proposed airport;
(2) air transportation that will be provided in the geographic region of the proposed airport; and
(3) the availability and cost of providing air transportation to rural areas in such geographic region.
(f)Competition Plans.—
(1)Prohibition.—Beginning in fiscal year 2001, no passenger facility charge may be approved for a covered airport under section 40117 and no grant may be made under this subchapter for a covered airport unless the airport has submitted to the Secretary a written competition plan in accordance with this subsection.
(2)Contents.—A competition plan under this subsection shall include information on the availability of airport gates and related facilities, leasing and sub-leasing arrangements, gate-use requirements, gate-assignment policy, financial constraints, airport controls over air- and ground-side capacity, and whether the airport intends to build or acquire gates that would be used as common facilities.
(3)Special rule for fiscal year 2002.—This subsection does not apply to any passenger facility fee approved, or grant made, in fiscal year 2002 if the fee or grant is to be used to improve security at a covered airport.
(4)Covered airport defined.—In this subsection, the term “covered airport” means a commercial service airport—
(A) that has more than .25 percent of the total number of passenger boardings each year at all such airports; and
(B) at which one or two air carriers control more than 50 percent of the passenger boardings.
(g)Consultation With Secretary of Homeland Security.—The Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security before approving an application under this subchapter for an airport development project grant for activities described in section 47102(3)(B)(ii) only as they relate to security equipment or section 47102(3)(B)(x) only as they relate to installation of bulk explosive detection system.
(h)Evaluation of Airport Master Plans.—When evaluating the master plan of an airport for purposes of this subchapter, the Secretary shall take into account—
(1) the role the airport plays with respect to medical emergencies and evacuations; and
(2) the role the airport plays in emergency or disaster preparedness in the community served by the airport.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1254; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, §§ 108, 109, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1573; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 155(b), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 88; Pub. L. 107–71, title I, § 123(a), Nov. 19, 2001, 115 Stat. 630; Pub. L. 107–296, title IV, § 426(b), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2187; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 187, title III, § 305, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2518, 2539; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, §§ 111(c)(2)(A)(i), 133, 134, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 18, 22; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, §§ 148(a), 149, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3214, 3215; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 712(c)(1), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1256.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47106

§ 47107. Project grant application approval conditioned on assurances about airport operations
(a)General Written Assurances.—The Secretary of Transportation may approve a project grant application under this subchapter for an airport development project only if the Secretary receives written assurances, satisfactory to the Secretary, that—
(1) the airport will be available for public use on reasonable conditions and without unjust discrimination;
(2) air carriers making similar use of the airport will be subject to substantially comparable charges—
(A) for facilities directly and substantially related to providing air transportation; and
(B) regulations and conditions, except for differences based on reasonable classifications, such as between—
(i) tenants and nontenants; and
(ii) signatory and nonsignatory carriers;
(3) the airport operator will not withhold unreasonably the classification or status of tenant or signatory from an air carrier that assumes obligations substantially similar to those already imposed on air carriers of that classification or status;
(4) a person providing, or intending to provide, aeronautical services to the public will not be given an exclusive right to use the airport, with a right given to only one fixed-base operator to provide services at an airport deemed not to be an exclusive right if—
(A) the right would be unreasonably costly, burdensome, or impractical for more than one fixed-base operator to provide the services; and
(B) allowing more than one fixed-base operator to provide the services would require reducing the space leased under an existing agreement between the one fixed-base operator and the airport owner or operator;
(5) fixed-base operators similarly using the airport will be subject to the same charges;
(6) an air carrier using the airport may service itself or use any fixed-base operator allowed by the airport operator to service any carrier at the airport;
(7) the airport and facilities on or connected with the airport will be operated and maintained suitably, with consideration given to climatic and flood conditions;
(8) a proposal to close the airport temporarily for a nonaeronautical purpose must first be approved by the Secretary;
(9) appropriate action will be taken to ensure that terminal airspace required to protect instrument and visual operations to the airport (including operations at established minimum flight altitudes) will be cleared and protected by mitigating existing, and preventing future, airport hazards;
(10) appropriate action, including the adoption of zoning laws, has been or will be taken to the extent reasonable to restrict the use of land next to or near the airport to uses that are compatible with normal airport operations;
(11) each of the airport’s facilities developed with financial assistance from the United States Government and each of the airport’s facilities usable for the landing and taking off of aircraft always will be available without charge for use by Government aircraft in common with other aircraft, except that if the use is substantial, the Government may be charged a reasonable share, proportionate to the use, of the cost of operating and maintaining the facility used;
(12) the airport owner or operator will provide, without charge to the Government, property interests of the sponsor in land or water areas or buildings that the Secretary decides are desirable for, and that will be used for, constructing at Government expense, facilities for carrying out activities related to air traffic control or navigation;
(13) the airport owner or operator will maintain a schedule of charges for use of facilities and services at the airport—
(A) that will make the airport as self-sustaining as possible under the circumstances existing at the airport, including volume of traffic and economy of collection; and
(B) without including in the rate base used for the charges the Government’s share of costs for any project for which a grant is made under this subchapter or was made under the Federal Airport Act or the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970;
(14) the project accounts and records will be kept using a standard system of accounting that the Secretary, after consulting with appropriate public agencies, prescribes;
(15) the airport owner or operator will submit any annual or special airport financial and operations reports to the Secretary that the Secretary reasonably requests and make such reports available to the public;
(16) the airport owner or operator will maintain a current layout plan of the airport that meets the following requirements:
(A) the plan will be in a form the Secretary prescribes;
(B) subject to subsection (x), the Secretary will review and approve or disapprove the plan and any revision or modification of the plan before the plan, revision, or modification takes effect;
(C) the owner or operator will not make or allow any alteration in the airport or any of its facilities unless the alteration—
(i) is outside the scope of the Secretary’s review and approval authority as set forth in subsection (x); or
(ii) complies with the portions of the plan approved by the Secretary; and
(D) when an alteration in the airport or its facility is made that is within the scope of the Secretary’s review and approval authority as set forth in subparagraph (B), and does not conform with the portions of the plan approved by the Secretary, and the Secretary decides that the alteration adversely affects the safety, utility, or efficiency of aircraft operations, or of any property on or off the airport that is owned, leased, or financed by the Government, then the owner or operator will, if requested by the Secretary—
(i) eliminate the adverse effect in a way the Secretary approves; or
(ii) bear all cost of relocating the property or its replacement to a site acceptable to the Secretary and of restoring the property or its replacement to the level of safety, utility, efficiency, and cost of operation that existed before the alteration was made, except in the case of a relocation or replacement of an existing airport facility that meets the conditions of section 47110(d);
(17) if any phase of such project has received funds under this subchapter, each contract and subcontract for program management, construction management, planning studies, feasibility studies, architectural services, preliminary engineering, design, engineering, surveying, mapping, and related services will be awarded in the same way that a contract for architectural and engineering services is negotiated under chapter 11 of title 40 or an equivalent qualifications-based requirement prescribed for or by the sponsor;
(18) the airport and each airport record will be available for inspection by the Secretary on reasonable request, and a report of the airport budget will be available to the public at reasonable times and places;
(19) the airport owner or operator will submit to the Secretary and make available to the public an annual report listing in detail—
(A) all amounts paid by the airport to any other unit of government and the purposes for which each such payment was made; and
(B) all services and property provided to other units of government and the amount of compensation received for provision of each such service and property;
(20) the airport owner or operator will permit, to the maximum extent practicable, intercity buses or other modes of transportation to have access to the airport, but the sponsor does not have any obligation under this paragraph, or because of it, to fund special facilities for intercity bus service or for other modes of transportation;
(21) if the airport owner or operator and a person who owns an aircraft agree that a hangar is to be constructed at the airport for the aircraft at the aircraft owner’s expense, the airport owner or operator will grant to the aircraft owner for the hangar a long-term lease that is subject to such terms and conditions on the hangar as the airport owner or operator may impose; and
(22) the airport owner or operator may not restrict or prohibit the sale or self-fueling of any 100-octane low lead aviation gasoline for purchase or use by operators of general aviation aircraft if such aviation gasoline was available at such airport at any time during calendar year 2022, until the earlier of—
(A)December 31, 2030; or
(B) the date on which the airport or any retail fuel seller at such airport makes available an unleaded aviation gasoline that—
(i) has been authorized for use by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration as a replacement for 100-octane low lead aviation gasoline for use in nearly all piston-engine aircraft and engine models; and
(ii) meets either an industry consensus standard or other standard that facilitates the safe use, production, and distribution of such unleaded aviation gasoline, as determined appropriate by the Administrator.
(b)Written Assurances on Use of Revenue.—
(1) The Secretary of Transportation may approve a project grant application under this subchapter for an airport development project only if the Secretary receives written assurances, satisfactory to the Secretary, that local taxes on aviation fuel (except taxes in effect on December 30, 1987) and the revenues generated by a public airport will be expended for the capital or operating costs of—
(A) the airport;
(B) the local airport system; or
(C) other local facilities owned or operated by the airport owner or operator and directly and substantially related to the air transportation of passengers or property.
(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply if a provision enacted not later than September 2, 1982, in a law controlling financing by the airport owner or operator, or a covenant or assurance in a debt obligation issued not later than September 2, 1982, by the owner or operator, provides that the revenues, including local taxes on aviation fuel at public airports, from any of the facilities of the owner or operator, including the airport, be used to support not only the airport but also the general debt obligations or other facilities of the owner or operator.
(3) This subsection does not prevent the use of a State tax on aviation fuel to support a State aviation program or the use of airport revenue on or off the airport for a noise mitigation purpose.
(c)Written Assurances on Acquiring Land.—
(1) In this subsection, land is needed for an airport purpose (except a noise compatibility purpose) if—
(A)
(i) the land may be needed for an aeronautical purpose (including runway protection zone) or serves as noise buffer land; and
(ii) revenue from interim uses of the land contributes to the financial self-sufficiency of the airport; and
(B) for land purchased with a grant the owner or operator received not later than December 30, 1987, the Secretary of Transportation or the department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government that made the grant was notified by the owner or operator of the use of the land and did not object to the use and the land is still being used for that purpose.
(2) The Secretary of Transportation may approve an application under this subchapter for an airport development project grant only if the Secretary receives written assurances, satisfactory to the Secretary, that if an airport owner or operator has received or will receive a grant for acquiring land and—
(A) if the land was or will be acquired for a noise compatibility purpose (including land serving as a noise buffer either by being undeveloped or developed in a way that is compatible with using the land for noise buffering purposes)—
(i) the owner or operator will dispose of the land at fair market value at the earliest practicable time after the land no longer is needed for a noise compatibility purpose;
(ii) the disposition will be subject to retaining or reserving an interest in the land necessary to ensure that the land will be used in a way that is compatible with noise levels associated with operating the airport; and
(iii) the part of the proceeds from disposing of the land that is proportional to the Government’s share of the cost of acquiring the land will be reinvested in another project at the airport or transferred to another airport as the Secretary prescribes under paragraph (4); or
(B) if the land was or will be acquired for an airport purpose (except a noise compatibility purpose)—
(i) the owner or operator, when the land no longer is needed for an airport purpose, will dispose of the land at fair market value or make available to the Secretary an amount equal to the Government’s proportional share of the fair market value;
(ii) the disposition will be subject to retaining or reserving an interest in the land necessary to ensure that the land will be used in a way that is compatible with noise levels associated with operating the airport; and
(iii) the part of the proceeds from disposing of the land that is proportional to the Government’s share of the cost of acquiring the land will be reinvested in another project at the airport or transferred to another airport as the Secretary prescribes under paragraph (4).
(3) Proceeds referred to in paragraph (2)(A)(iii) and (B)(iii) of this subsection and deposited in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund are available as provided in subsection (f) of this section.
(4) In approving the reinvestment or transfer of proceeds under paragraph (2)(A)(iii) or (2)(B)(iii), the Secretary shall give preference, in descending order, to the following actions:
(A) Reinvestment in an approved noise compatibility project.
(B) Reinvestment in an approved project that is eligible for funding under section 47117(e).
(C) Reinvestment in an approved airport development project that is eligible for funding under section 47114, 47115, or 47117.
(D) Transfer to a sponsor of another public airport to be reinvested in an approved noise compatibility project at that airport.
(E) Payment to the Secretary for deposit in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund established under section 9502 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(5)
(A) A lease at fair market value by an airport owner or operator of land acquired for a noise compatibility purpose using a grant provided under this subchapter shall not be considered a disposal for purposes of paragraph (2).
(B) The airport owner or operator may use revenues from a lease described in subparagraph (A) for an approved airport development project that is eligible for funding under section 47114, 47115, or 47117.
(C) The Secretary shall coordinate with each airport owner or operator to ensure that leases described in subparagraph (A) are consistent with noise buffering purposes.
(D) The provisions of this paragraph apply to all land acquired before, on, or after the date of enactment of this paragraph.
(d)Assurances of Continuation as Public-Use Airport.—The Secretary of Transportation may approve an application under this subchapter for an airport development project grant for a privately owned public-use airport only if the Secretary receives appropriate assurances that the airport will continue to function as a public-use airport during the economic life (that must be at least 10 years) of any facility at the airport that was developed with Government financial assistance under this subchapter.
(e)Written Assurances of Opportunities for Small Business Concerns.—
(1) The Secretary of Transportation may approve a project grant application under this subchapter for an airport development project only if the Secretary receives written assurances, satisfactory to the Secretary, that the airport owner or operator will take necessary action to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that at least 10 percent of all businesses at the airport selling consumer products or providing consumer services to the public are small business concerns (as defined by regulations of the Secretary) owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual (as defined in section 47113(a) of this title) or qualified HUBZone small business concerns (as defined in section 31(b) of the Small Business Act).
(2) An airport owner or operator may meet the percentage goal of paragraph (1) of this subsection by including any business operated through a management contract or subcontract. The dollar amount of a management contract or subcontract with a disadvantaged business enterprise shall be added to the total participation by disadvantaged business enterprises in airport concessions and to the base from which the airport’s percentage goal is calculated. The dollar amount of a management contract or subcontract with a non-disadvantaged business enterprise and the gross revenue of business activities to which the management contract or subcontract pertains may not be added to this base.
(3) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, an airport owner or operator may meet the percentage goal of paragraph (1) of this subsection by including the purchase from disadvantaged business enterprises of goods and services used in businesses conducted at the airport, but the owner or operator and the businesses conducted at the airport shall make good faith efforts to explore all available options to achieve, to the maximum extent practicable, compliance with the goal through direct ownership arrangements, including joint ventures and franchises.
(4)
(A) In complying with paragraph (1) of this subsection, an airport owner or operator shall include the revenues of car rental firms at the airport in the base from which the percentage goal in paragraph (1) is calculated.
(B) An airport owner or operator may require a car rental firm to meet a requirement under paragraph (1) of this subsection by purchasing or leasing goods or services from a disadvantaged business enterprise. If an owner or operator requires such a purchase or lease, a car rental firm shall be permitted to meet the requirement by including purchases or leases of vehicles from any vendor that qualifies as a small business concern owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual or as a qualified HUBZone small business concern (as defined in section 31(b) of the Small Business Act).
(C) This subsection does not require a car rental firm to change its corporate structure to provide for direct ownership arrangements to meet the requirements of this subsection.
(5) This subsection does not preempt—
(A) a State or local law, regulation, or policy enacted by the governing body of an airport owner or operator; or
(B) the authority of a State or local government or airport owner or operator to adopt or enforce a law, regulation, or policy related to disadvantaged business enterprises.
(6) An airport owner or operator may provide opportunities for a small business concern owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual or a qualified HUBZone small business concern (as defined in section 31(b) of the Small Business Act) to participate through direct contractual agreement with that concern.
(7) An air carrier that provides passenger or property-carrying services or another business that conducts aeronautical activities at an airport may not be included in the percentage goal of paragraph (1) of this subsection for participation of small business concerns at the airport.
(8) Not later than April 29, 1993, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe regulations to carry out this subsection.
(f)Availability of Amounts.—An amount deposited in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund under—
(1) subsection (c)(2)(A)(iii) of this section is available to the Secretary of Transportation to make a grant for airport development or airport planning under section 47104 of this title;
(2) subsection (c)(2)(B)(iii) of this section is available to the Secretary—
(A) to make a grant for a purpose described in section 47115(b) of this title; and
(B) for use under section 47114(d)(2) of this title at another airport in the State in which the land was disposed of under subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii) of this section; and
(3) subsection (c)(2)(B)(iii) of this section is in addition to an amount made available to the Secretary under section 48103 of this title and not subject to apportionment under section 47114 of this title.
(g)Ensuring Compliance.—
(1) To ensure compliance with this section, the Secretary of Transportation—
(A) shall prescribe requirements for sponsors that the Secretary considers necessary; and
(B) may make a contract with a public agency.
(2) The Secretary of Transportation may approve an application for a project grant only if the Secretary is satisfied that the requirements prescribed under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection have been or will be met.
(h)Modifying Assurances and Requiring Compliance With Additional Assurances.—
(1)In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), before modifying an assurance required of a person receiving a grant under this subchapter and in effect after December 29, 1987, or to require compliance with an additional assurance from the person, the Secretary of Transportation must—
(A) publish notice of the proposed modification in the Federal Register; and
(B) provide an opportunity for comment on the proposal.
(2)Public notice before waiver of aeronautical land-use assurance.—Before modifying an assurance under subsection (c)(2)(B) that requires any property to be used for an aeronautical purpose, the Secretary must provide notice to the public not less than 30 days before making such modification.
(i)Relief From Obligation To Provide Free Space.—When a sponsor provides a property interest in a land or water area or a building that the Secretary of Transportation uses to construct a facility at Government expense, the Secretary may relieve the sponsor from an obligation in a contract made under this chapter, the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970, or the Federal Airport Act to provide free space to the Government in an airport building, to the extent the Secretary finds that the free space no longer is needed to carry out activities related to air traffic control or navigation.
(j)Use of Revenue in Hawaii.—
(1) In this subsection—
(A) “duty-free merchandise” and “duty-free sales enterprise” have the same meanings given those terms in section 555(b)(8) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1555(b)(8)).
(B) “highway” and “Federal-aid system” have the same meanings given those terms in section 101(a) of title 23.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1) of this section, Hawaii may use, for a project for construction or reconstruction of a highway on a Federal-aid system that is not more than 10 miles by road from an airport and that will facilitate access to the airport, revenue from the sales at off-airport locations in Hawaii of duty-free merchandise under a contract between Hawaii and a duty-free sales enterprise. However, the revenue resulting during a Hawaiian fiscal year may be used only if the amount of the revenue, plus amounts Hawaii receives in the fiscal year from all other sources for costs Hawaii incurs for operating all airports it operates and for debt service related to capital projects for the airports (including interest and amortization of principal costs), is more than 150 percent of the projected costs for the fiscal year.
(3)
(A) Revenue from sales referred to in paragraph (2) of this subsection in a Hawaiian fiscal year that Hawaii may use may not be more than the amount that is greater than 150 percent as determined under paragraph (2).
(B) The maximum amount of revenue Hawaii may use under paragraph (2) of this subsection is $250,000,000.
(4) If a fee imposed or collected for rent, landing, or service from an aircraft operator by an airport operated by Hawaii is increased during the period from May 4, 1990, through December 31, 1994, by more than the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index of All Urban Consumers for Honolulu, Hawaii, that the Secretary of Labor publishes during that period and if revenue derived from the fee increases because the fee increased, the amount under paragraph (3)(B) of this subsection shall be reduced by the amount of the projected revenue increase in the period less the part of the increase attributable to changes in the Index in the period.
(5) Hawaii shall determine costs, revenue, and projected revenue increases referred to in this subsection and shall submit the determinations to the Secretary of Transportation. A determination is approved unless the Secretary disapproves it not later than 30 days after it is submitted.
(6) Hawaii is not eligible for a grant under section 47115 of this title in a fiscal year in which Hawaii uses under paragraph (2) of this subsection revenue from sales referred to in paragraph (2). Hawaii shall repay amounts it receives in a fiscal year under a grant it is not eligible to receive because of this paragraph to the Secretary of Transportation for deposit in the discretionary fund established under section 47115.
(7)
(A) This subsection applies only to revenue from sales referred to in paragraph (2) of this subsection from May 5, 1990, through December 30, 1994, and to amounts in the Airport Revenue Fund of Hawaii that are attributable to revenue before May 4, 1990, on sales referred to in paragraph (2).
(B) Revenue from sales referred to in paragraph (2) of this subsection from May 5, 1990, through December 30, 1994, may be used under paragraph (2) in any Hawaiian fiscal year, including a Hawaiian fiscal year beginning after December 31, 1994.
(k)Policies and Procedures To Ensure Enforcement Against Illegal Diversion of Airport Revenue.—
(1)In general.—Not later than 90 days after August 23, 1994, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish policies and procedures that will assure the prompt and effective enforcement of subsections (a)(13) and (b) of this section and grant assurances made under such subsections. Such policies and procedures shall recognize the exemption provision in subsection (b)(2) of this section and shall respond to the information contained in the reports of the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation on airport revenue diversion and such other relevant information as the Secretary may by law consider.
(2)Revenue diversion.—Policies and procedures to be established pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection shall prohibit, at a minimum, the diversion of airport revenues (except as authorized under subsection (b) of this section) through—
(A) direct payments or indirect payments, other than payments reflecting the value of services and facilities provided to the airport;
(B) use of airport revenues for general economic development, marketing, and promotional activities unrelated to airports or airport systems;
(C) payments in lieu of taxes or other assessments that exceed the value of services provided; or
(D) payments to compensate nonsponsoring governmental bodies for lost tax revenues exceeding stated tax rates.
(3)Efforts to be self-sustaining.—With respect to subsection (a)(13) of this section, policies and procedures to be established pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection shall take into account, at a minimum, whether owners and operators of airports, when entering into new or revised agreements or otherwise establishing rates, charges, and fees, have undertaken reasonable efforts to make their particular airports as self-sustaining as possible under the circumstances existing at such airports.
(4)Administrative safeguards.—Policies and procedures to be established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall mandate internal controls, auditing requirements, and increased levels of Department of Transportation personnel sufficient to respond fully and promptly to complaints received regarding possible violations of subsections (a)(13) and (b) of this section and grant assurances made under such subsections and to alert the Secretary to such possible violations.
(5)Statute of limitations.—In addition to the statute of limitations specified in subsection (m)(7), with respect to project grants made under this chapter—
(A) any request by a sponsor or any other governmental entity to any airport for additional payments for services conducted off of the airport or for reimbursement for capital contributions or operating expenses shall be filed not later than 6 years after the date on which the expense is incurred; and
(B) any amount of airport funds that are used to make a payment or reimbursement as described in subparagraph (A) after the date specified in that subparagraph shall be considered to be an illegal diversion of airport revenues that is subject to subsection (m).
(l)Audit Certification.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, shall include a provision in the compliance supplement provisions to require a recipient of a project grant (or any other recipient of Federal financial assistance that is provided for an airport) to include as part of an annual audit conducted under sections 7501 through 7505 of title 31, a review concerning the funding activities with respect to an airport that is the subject of the project grant (or other Federal financial assistance) and the sponsors, owners, or operators (or other recipients) involved.
(2)Content of review.—A review conducted under paragraph (1) shall provide reasonable assurances that funds paid or transferred to sponsors are paid or transferred in a manner consistent with the applicable requirements of this chapter and any other applicable provision of law (including regulations promulgated by the Secretary or the Administrator).
(m)Recovery of Illegally Diverted Funds.—
(1)In general.—Not later than 180 days after the issuance of an audit or any other report that identifies an illegal diversion of airport revenues (as determined under subsections (b) and (k) and section 47133), the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall—
(A) review the audit or report;
(B) perform appropriate factfinding; and
(C) conduct a hearing and render a final determination concerning whether the illegal diversion of airport revenues asserted in the audit or report occurred.
(2)Notification.—Upon making such a finding, the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall provide written notification to the sponsor and the airport of—
(A) the finding; and
(B) the obligations of the sponsor to reimburse the airport involved under this paragraph.
(3)Administrative action.—The Secretary may withhold any amount from funds that would otherwise be made available to the sponsor, including funds that would otherwise be made available to a State, municipality, or political subdivision thereof (including any multimodal transportation agency or transit authority of which the sponsor is a member entity) as part of an apportionment or grant made available pursuant to this title, if the sponsor—
(A) receives notification that the sponsor is required to reimburse an airport; and
(B) has had an opportunity to reimburse the airport, but has failed to do so.
(4)Civil action.—If a sponsor fails to pay an amount specified under paragraph (3) during the 180-day period beginning on the date of notification and the Secretary is unable to withhold a sufficient amount under paragraph (3), the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, may initiate a civil action under which the sponsor shall be liable for civil penalty in an amount equal to double the illegal diversion in question plus interest (as determined under subsection (n)).
(5)Disposition of penalties.—
(A)Amounts withheld.—The Secretary or the Administrator shall transfer any amounts withheld under paragraph (3) to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
(B)Civil penalties.—With respect to any amount collected by a court in a civil action under paragraph (4), the court shall cause to be transferred to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund any amount collected as a civil penalty under paragraph (4).
(6)Reimbursement.—The Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall, as soon as practicable after any amount is collected from a sponsor under paragraph (4), cause to be transferred from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to an airport affected by a diversion that is the subject of a civil action under paragraph (4), reimbursement in an amount equal to the amount that has been collected from the sponsor under paragraph (4) (including any amount of interest calculated under subsection (n)).
(7)Statute of limitations.—No person may bring an action for the recovery of funds illegally diverted in violation of this section (as determined under subsections (b) and (k)) or section 47133 after the date that is 6 years after the date on which the diversion occurred.
(n)Interest.—
(1)In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall charge a minimum annual rate of interest on the amount of any illegal diversion of revenues referred to in subsection (m) in an amount equal to double the average investment interest rate for tax and loan accounts of the Department of the Treasury (as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury) for the applicable calendar year, rounded to the nearest whole percentage point.
(2)Adjustment of interest rates.—If, with respect to a calendar quarter, the average investment interest rate for tax and loan accounts of the Department of the Treasury exceeds the average investment interest rate for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, rounded to the nearest whole percentage point, the Secretary of the Treasury may adjust the interest rate charged under this subsection in a manner that reflects that change.
(3)Accrual.—Interest assessed under subsection (m) shall accrue from the date of the actual illegal diversion of revenues referred to in subsection (m).
(4)Determination of applicable rate.—The applicable rate of interest charged under paragraph (1) shall—
(A) be the rate in effect on the date on which interest begins to accrue under paragraph (3); and
(B) remain at a rate fixed under subparagraph (A) during the duration of the indebtedness.
(o)Payment by Airport to Sponsor.—If, in the course of an audit or other review conducted under this section, the Secretary or the Administrator determines that an airport owes a sponsor funds as a result of activities conducted by the sponsor or expenditures by the sponsor for the benefit of the airport, interest on that amount shall be determined in the same manner as provided in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (n), except that the amount of any interest assessed under this subsection shall be determined from the date on which the Secretary or the Administrator makes that determination.
(p) Notwithstanding any written assurances prescribed in subsections (a) through (o), a general aviation airport with more than 300,000 annual operations may be exempt from having to accept scheduled passenger air carrier service, provided that the following conditions are met:
(1) No scheduled passenger air carrier has provided service at the airport within 5 years prior to January 1, 2002.
(2) The airport is located within or underneath the Class B airspace of an airport that maintains an airport operating certificate pursuant to section 44706 of title 49.
(3) The certificated airport operating under section 44706 of title 49 does not contribute to significant passenger delays as defined by DOT/FAA in the “Airport Capacity Benchmark Report 2001”.
(q) An airport that meets the conditions of paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (p) is not subject to section 47524 of title 49 with respect to a prohibition on all scheduled passenger service.
(r)Competition Disclosure Requirement.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary of Transportation may approve an application under this subchapter for an airport development project grant for a large hub airport or a medium hub airport only if the Secretary receives assurances that the airport sponsor will provide the information required by paragraph (2) at such time and in such form as the Secretary may require.
(2)Competitive access.—On February 1 and August 1 of each year, an airport that during the previous 6-month period has been unable to accommodate one or more requests by an air carrier for access to gates or other facilities at that airport in order to provide service to the airport or to expand service at the airport shall transmit a report to the Secretary that—
(A) describes the requests;
(B) provides an explanation as to why the requests could not be accommodated; and
(C) provides a time frame within which, if any, the airport will be able to accommodate the requests.
(3)Sunset provision.—This subsection shall cease to be effective beginning October 1, 2028.
(s)Agreements Granting Through-The-Fence Access to General Aviation Airports.—
(1)In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), a sponsor of a general aviation airport shall not be considered to be in violation of this subtitle, or to be in violation of a grant assurance made under this section or under any other provision of law as a condition for the receipt of Federal financial assistance for airport development, solely because the sponsor enters into an agreement that grants to a person that owns residential real property adjacent to or near the airport access to the airfield of the airport for the following:
(A) Aircraft of the person.
(B) Aircraft authorized by the person.
(2)Through-the-fence agreements.—
(A)In general.—An agreement described in paragraph (1) between an airport sponsor and a property owner (or an association representing such property owner) shall be a written agreement that prescribes the rights, responsibilities, charges, duration, and other terms the airport sponsor determines are necessary to establish and manage the airport sponsor’s relationship with the property owner.
(B)Terms and conditions.—An agreement described in paragraph (1) between an airport sponsor and a property owner (or an association representing such property owner) shall require the property owner, at minimum—
(i) to pay airport access charges that, as determined by the airport sponsor, are comparable to those charged to tenants and operators on-airport making similar use of the airport;
(ii) to bear the cost of building and maintaining the infrastructure that, as determined by the airport sponsor, is necessary to provide aircraft located on the property adjacent to or near the airport access to the airfield of the airport;
(iii) to maintain the property for residential, noncommercial use for the duration of the agreement;
(iv) to prohibit access to the airport from other properties through the property of the property owner; and
(v) to prohibit any aircraft refueling from occurring on the property.
(3)Exemption.—The terms and conditions of paragraph (2) shall not apply to an agreement described in paragraph (1) made before the enactment of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–95) that the Secretary determines does not comply with such terms and conditions but involves property that is subject to deed or lease restrictions that are considered perpetual and that cannot readily be brought into compliance. However, if the Secretary determines that the airport sponsor and residential property owners are able to make any modification to such an agreement on or after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the exemption provided by this paragraph shall no longer apply.
(t)Renewal of Certain Leases.—
(1)In general.—Notwithstanding subsection (a)(13), an airport owner or operator who renews a covered lease shall not be treated as violating a written assurance requirement under this section as a result of such renewal.
(2)Covered lease defined.—In this subsection, the term “covered lease” means a lease—
(A) originally entered into before October 7, 2016;
(B) under which a nominal lease rate is provided;
(C) under which the lessee is a Federal or State government entity; and
(D) that—
(i) supports the operation of military aircraft by the Air Force or Air National Guard—(I) at the airport; or(II) remotely from the airport; or
(ii) is for the use of nonaeronautical land or facilities of the airport by the National Guard.
(u)Construction of Recreational Aircraft.—
(1)In general.—The construction of a covered aircraft shall be treated as an aeronautical activity for purposes of—
(A) determining an airport’s compliance with a grant assurance made under this section or any other provision of law; and
(B) the receipt of Federal financial assistance for airport development.
(2)Covered aircraft defined.—In this subsection, the term “covered aircraft” means an aircraft—
(A) used or intended to be used exclusively for recreational purposes; and
(B) constructed or under construction by a private individual at a general aviation airport.
(v)Community Use of Airport Land.—
(1)In general.—Notwithstanding subsections (a)(13), (b), and (c) and section 47133, and subject to paragraph (2), the sponsor of a public-use airport shall not be considered to be in violation of this subtitle, or to be found in violation of a grant assurance made under this section, or under any other provision of law, as a condition for the receipt of Federal financial assistance for airport development, solely because the sponsor has—
(A) entered into an agreement, including a revised agreement, with a local government providing for the use of airport property for an interim compatible recreational purpose at below fair market value; or
(B) permanently restricted the use of airport property to compatible recreational and public park use without paying or otherwise obtaining payment of fair market value for the property.
(2)Restrictions.—
(A)Interim compatible recreational purpose.—Paragraph (1) shall apply, with respect to a sponsor that has taken the action described in subparagraph (A) of such paragraph, only—
(i) to an agreement regarding airport property that was initially entered into before the publication of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, dated February 16, 1999;
(ii) if the agreement between the sponsor and the local government is subordinate to any existing or future agreements between the sponsor and the Secretary, including agreements related to a grant assurance under this section;
(iii) to airport property that was purchased using funds from a Federal grant for acquiring land issued prior to January 1, 1989;
(iv) if the airport sponsor has provided a written statement to the Administrator that the property made available for a recreational purpose will not be needed for any aeronautical purpose during the next 10 years;
(v) if the agreement includes a term of not more than 2 years to prepare the airport property for the interim compatible recreational purpose and not more than 10 years of use for that purpose;
(vi) if the recreational purpose will not impact the aeronautical use of the airport;
(vii) if the airport sponsor provides a certification that the sponsor is not responsible for preparation, startup, operations, maintenance, or any other costs associated with the recreational purpose; and
(viii) if the recreational purpose is consistent with Federal land use compatibility criteria under section 47502.
(B)Recreational use.—Paragraph (1) shall apply, with respect to a sponsor that has taken the action described in subparagraph (B) of such paragraph, only—
(i) to airport property that was purchased using funds from a Federal grant for acquiring land issued prior to January 1, 1989;
(ii) to airport property that has been continuously leased or licensed through a written agreement with a governmental entity or non-profit entity for recreational or public park uses since July 1, 2003;
(iii) if the airport sponsor has provided a written statement to the Administrator that the recreational or public park use does not impact the aeronautical use of the airport and that the property to be permanently restricted for recreational or public park use is not needed for any aeronautical use at the time the written statement is provided and is not expected to be needed for any aeronautical use at any time after such statement is provided;
(iv) if the airport sponsor provides a certification to the Administrator that the sponsor is not responsible for operations, maintenance, or any other costs associated with the recreational or public park use;
(v) if the recreational purpose is consistent with Federal land use compatibility criteria under section 47502; and
(vi) if the airport sponsor will—(I) lease the property to a local government entity or non-profit entity to operate and maintain the property at no cost to the airport sponsor; or(II) transfer title to the property to a local government entity subject to a permanent deed restriction ensuring compatible airport use under regulations issued pursuant to section 47502.
(3)Revenue from certain sales of airport property.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an airport sponsor leasing or selling a portion of airport property as described in paragraph (2)(B)(vi) may—
(A) lease or sell such portion of airport property for less than fair market value; and
(B) subject to the requirements of subsection (b), retain the revenue from the lease or sale of such portion of airport property for use in accordance with section 47133.
(4)Secretary review and approval.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and subject to the sponsor providing a written statement certifying such sponsor meets the requirements under this subsection, no actions permitted under this subsection shall require the review or approval of the Secretary of Transportation.
(5)Statutory construction.—Nothing in this subsection may be construed as permitting a diversion of airport revenue for the capital or operating costs associated with the community use of airport land.
(6)Aeronautical use; aeronautical purpose defined.—In this subsection, the terms “aeronautical use” and “aeronautical purpose”—
(A) mean all activities that involve or are directly related to the operation of aircraft, including activities that make the operation of aircraft possible and safe;
(B) include services located at an airport that are directly and substantially related to the movement of passengers, baggage, mail, and cargo; and
(C) do not include any uses of an airport that are not described in subparagraph (A) or (B), including any aviation-related uses that do not need to be located at an airport, such as flight kitchens and airline reservation centers.
(w)Mothers’ Rooms.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary of Transportation may approve an application under this subchapter for an airport development project grant only if the Secretary receives written assurances that the airport owner or operator will maintain—
(A) a lactation area in the sterile area of each passenger terminal building of the airport; and
(B) a baby changing table in at least one men’s and at least one women’s restroom in each passenger terminal building of the airport.
(2)Applicability.—
(A)Airport size.—
(i)In general.—The requirements in paragraph (1) shall only apply to applications submitted by the airport sponsor of—(I) a medium or large hub airport in fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter; and(II) an applicable small hub airport in fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(ii)Applicable small hub airport defined.—In clause (i)(II), the term “applicable small hub airport” means an airport designated as a small hub airport during—(I) the 3-year period consisting of 2020, 2021, and 2022; or(II) any consecutive 3-year period beginning after 2020.
(B)Preexisting facilities.—On application by an airport sponsor, the Secretary may determine that a lactation area in existence on October 5, 2018, complies with the requirement in paragraph (1)(A), notwithstanding the absence of one of the facilities or characteristics referred to in the definition of the term “lactation area” in this subsection.
(C)Special rule.—The requirement in paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply with respect to a project grant application for a period of time, determined by the Secretary, if the Secretary determines that construction or maintenance activities make it impracticable or unsafe for the lactation area to be located in the sterile area of the building.
(3)Definition.—In this section, the term—
(A) “lactation area” means a room or similar accommodation that—
(i) provides a location for members of the public to express breast milk that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from the public;
(ii) has a door that can be locked;
(iii) includes a place to sit, a table or other flat surface, a sink or sanitizing equipment, and an electrical outlet;
(iv) is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs; and
(v) is not located in a restroom; and
(B) “sterile area” has the same meaning given that term in section 1540.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
(x)Scope of Airport Layout Plan Review and Approval Authority of Secretary.—
(1)Authority over projects on land acquired without federal assistance.—For purposes of subsection (a)(16)(B), with respect to any project proposed on land acquired by an airport owner or operator without Federal assistance, the Secretary may review and approve or disapprove only the portions of the plan (or any subsequent revision to the plan) that—
(A) materially impact the safe and efficient operation of aircraft at, to, or from the airport;
(B) adversely affect the safety of people or property on the ground as a result of aircraft operations; or
(C) adversely affect the value of prior Federal investments to a significant extent.
(2)Limitation on non-aeronautical review.—
(A)In general.—The Secretary may not require an airport to seek approval for (including in the submission of an airport layout plan), or directly or indirectly regulate or place conditions on (including through any grant assurance), any project that is not subject to paragraph (1).
(B)Review and approval authority.—If only a portion of a project proposed by an airport owner or operator is subject to the review and approval of the Secretary under subsection (a)(16)(B), the Secretary shall not extend review and approval authority to other non-aeronautical portions of the project.
(3)Notice.—
(A)In general.—An airport owner or operator shall submit to the Secretary a notice of intent to proceed with a proposed project (or a portion thereof) that is outside of the review and approval authority of the Secretary, as described in this subsection, if the project was not on the most recently submitted airport layout plan of the airport.
(B)Failure to object.—If not later than 45 days after receiving the notice of intent described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary fails to object to such notice, the proposed project (or portion thereof) shall be deemed as being outside the scope of the review and approval authority of the Secretary under subsection (a)(16)(B).
(y)Universal Changing Station.—
(1)In general.—In fiscal year 2030 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of Transportation may approve an application under this subchapter for an airport development project grant only if the Secretary receives written assurances that the airport owner or operator will install or maintain (in compliance with the requirements of section 35.133 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations), as applicable—
(A) at least 1 private, single-use room with a universal changing station that—
(i) meets the standards established under paragraph (2)(A); and
(ii) is accessible to all individuals for purposes of use by an individual with a disability in each passenger terminal building of the airport; and
(B) signage at or near the entrance to the changing station indicating the location of the changing station.
(2)Standards required.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, the United States Access Board shall—
(A) establish—
(i) comprehensive accessible design standards for universal changing tables; and
(ii) standards on the privacy, accessibility, and sanitation equipment of the room in which such table is located, required to be installed, or maintained under this subsection; and
(B) in establishing the standards under subparagraph (A), consult with entities with appropriate expertise relating to the use of universal changing stations used by individuals with disabilities.
(3)Applicability.—
(A)Airport size.—The requirement in paragraph (1) shall only apply to applications submitted by the airport sponsor of a medium or large hub airport.
(B)Special rule.—The requirement in paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a project grant application for a period of time, determined by the Secretary, if the Secretary determines that construction or maintenance activities make it impracticable or unsafe for the universal changing station to be located in the sterile area of the building.
(4)Exception.—Upon application by an airport sponsor, the Secretary may determine that a universal changing station in existence before the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, complies with the requirements of paragraph (1) (including the standards established under paragraph (2)(A)), notwithstanding the absence of 1 or more of the standards or characteristics required under such paragraph.
(5)Definition.—In this section:
(A)Disability.—The term “disability” has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).
(B)Sterile area.—The term “sterile area” has the same meaning given that term in section 1540.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
(C)Universal changing station.—The term “universal changing station” means a universal or adult changing station that meets the standards established by the United States Access Board under paragraph (2)(A).
(D)United states access board.—The term “United States Access Board” means the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board established under section 502(a)(1) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 792(a)(1)).
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1256; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, §§ 111(a), (c), 112(a), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1573, 1574; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 143, title VIII, § 805(a), (b)(2), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3221, 3271, 3274; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(9), (80), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3389, 3397; Pub. L. 105–135, title VI, § 604(h)(1), Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2634; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 125(a), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 75; Pub. L. 107–217, § 3(n)(7), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303; Pub. L. 108–7, div. I, title III, § 321(a), Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 411; Pub. L. 108–11, title II, § 2702, Apr. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 600; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, §§ 144, 164, 165, title IV, § 424, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2503, 2513, 2514, 2554; Pub. L. 110–330, § 5(e), Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3718; Pub. L. 111–12, § 5(d), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1458; Pub. L. 111–69, § 5(e), Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2055; Pub. L. 111–116, § 5(d), Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3032; Pub. L. 111–153, § 5(d), Mar. 31, 2010, 124 Stat. 1085; Pub. L. 111–161, § 5(d), Apr. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1127; Pub. L. 111–197, § 5(d), July 2, 2010, 124 Stat. 1354; Pub. L. 111–216, title I, § 104(d), Aug. 1, 2010, 124 Stat. 2349; Pub. L. 111–249, § 5(e), Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628; Pub. L. 111–329, § 5(d), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3567; Pub. L. 112–7, § 5(d), Mar. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 32; Pub. L. 112–16, § 5(d), May 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 219; Pub. L. 112–21, § 5(d), June 29, 2011, 125 Stat. 234; Pub. L. 112–27, § 5(d), Aug. 5, 2011, 125 Stat. 271; Pub. L. 112–30, title II, § 205(e), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 358; Pub. L. 112–91, § 5(e), Jan. 31, 2012, 126 Stat. 4; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, §§ 135, 136(a), title IV, § 404, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 22, 23, 85; Pub. L. 113–188, title XV, § 1501(b)(1), (2)(A), Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2023, 2024; Pub. L. 114–55, title I, § 102(a), Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 523; Pub. L. 114–141, title I, § 102(a), Mar. 30, 2016, 130 Stat. 323; Pub. L. 114–190, title I, § 1102(a), July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 114–238, § 1, Oct. 7, 2016, 130 Stat. 972; Pub. L. 115–63, title I, § 102(a), Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1169; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(a)(4)(G)(i), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1796; Pub. L. 115–141, div. M, title I, § 102(a), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1046; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, §§ 131, 132(a), 163(d), 185, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3203–3205, 3224, 3234; Pub. L. 116–190, § 2, Oct. 30, 2020, 134 Stat. 974; Pub. L. 118–15, div. B, title II, § 2202(e), Sept. 30, 2023, 137 Stat. 83; Pub. L. 118–34, title I, § 102(e), Dec. 26, 2023, 137 Stat. 1113; Pub. L. 118–41, title I, § 102(e), Mar. 8, 2024, 138 Stat. 21; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, §§ 703(a), 704–706, 743(b), 770(a), 774(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1248, 1249, 1280, 1295, 1297.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47107

§ 47108. Project grant agreements
(a)Offer and Acceptance.—On approving a project grant application under this subchapter, the Secretary of Transportation shall offer the sponsor a grant to pay the United States Government’s share of the project costs allowable under section 47110 of this title. The Secretary may impose terms on the offer that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this subchapter and regulations prescribed under this subchapter. An offer shall state the obligations to be assumed by the sponsor and the maximum amount the Government will pay for the project from the amounts authorized under chapter 481 of this title (except sections 48102(e), 48106, 48107, and 48110). At the request of the sponsor, an offer of a grant for a project that will not be completed in one fiscal year shall provide for the obligation of amounts apportioned or to be apportioned to a sponsor under section 47114(c) or 47114(d)(2)(A) for the fiscal years necessary to pay the Government’s share of the cost of the project. An offer that is accepted in writing by the sponsor is an agreement binding on the Government and the sponsor. The Government may pay or be obligated to pay a project cost only after a grant agreement for the project is signed.
(b)Increasing Government Share.—
(1)In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2) or (3), the amount stated in an offer as the maximum amount the Government will pay may not be increased when the offer has been accepted in writing.
(2)Exception.—For a project receiving assistance under a grant approved under this chapter or chapter 475, the amount may be increased—
(A) for an airport development project, by not more than 15 percent; and
(B) to acquire an interest in land for an airport (except a primary airport), based on creditable appraisals at the time of the acquisition or a court award in a condemnation proceeding, by not more than the greater of—
(i) 15 percent; or
(ii) 25 percent of the total increase in allowable project costs attributable to acquiring an interest in land.
(3)Price adjustment provisions.—
(A)In general.—The Secretary may incorporate a provision in a project grant agreement under which the Secretary agrees to pay more than the maximum amount otherwise specified in the agreement if the Secretary finds that commodity or labor prices have increased since the agreement was made.
(B)A provision incorporated in a project grant agreement under this paragraph shall ensure that the Secretary realizes any financial benefit associated with a decrease in material or labor costs for the project.
(c)Changing Workscope.—With the consent of the sponsor, the Secretary may amend a grant agreement made under this subchapter to change the workscope of a project financed under the grant if the amendment does not result in an increase in the maximum amount the Government may pay under subsection (b) of this section.
(d)Change in Airport Status.—
(1)Changes to nonprimary airport status.—If the status of a primary airport changes to a nonprimary airport at a time when a development project under a multiyear agreement under subsection (a) is not yet completed, the project shall remain eligible for funding from discretionary funds under section 47115 at the funding level and under the terms provided by the agreement, subject to the availability of funds.
(2)Changes to noncommercial service airport status.—If the status of a commercial service airport changes to a noncommercial service airport at a time when a terminal development project under a phased-funding arrangement is not yet completed, the project shall remain eligible for funding from discretionary funds under section 47115 at the funding level and under the terms provided by the arrangement subject to the availability of funds.
(3)Changes to nonhub primary status.—If the status of a nonhub primary airport changes to a small hub primary airport at a time when the airport has received discretionary funds under this chapter for a terminal development project in accordance with section 47119(a), and the project is not yet completed, the project shall remain eligible for funding from the discretionary fund and the small airport fund to pay costs allowable under section 47119(a). Such project shall remain eligible for such funds for three fiscal years after the start of construction of the project, or if the Secretary determines that a further extension of eligibility is justified, until the project is completed.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1262; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 135(c), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 84; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 149(a), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2505; Pub. L. 109–115, div. A, title I, § 176(a), Nov. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2427; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 152(e)(2), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 34; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 707, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1251.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47108

§ 47109. United States Government’s share of project costs
(a)General.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, the United States Government’s share of allowable project costs is—
(1) 75 percent for a project at a medium or large hub airport;
(2) not more than 90 percent for a project funded by a grant issued to and administered by a State under section 47128, relating to the State block grant program;
(3) 90 percent for a project at any other airport;
(4) 70 percent for a project funded by the Administrator from the discretionary fund under section 47115 at an airport receiving an exemption under section 47134; and
(5) 95 percent for a project that—
(A) the Administrator determines is a successive phase of a multiphase construction project for which the sponsor received a grant in fiscal year 2011; and
(B) for which the United States Government’s share of allowable project costs would otherwise be capped at 90 percent under paragraph (2) or (3).
(b)Increased Government Share.—If, under subsection (a) of this section, the Government’s share of allowable costs of a project in a State containing unappropriated and unreserved public lands and nontaxable Indian lands (individual and tribal) of more than 5 percent of the total area of all lands in the State, is less than the share applied on June 30, 1975, under section 17(b) of the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970, the Government’s share under subsection (a) of this section shall be increased by the lesser of—
(1) 25 percent;
(2) one-half of the percentage that the area of unappropriated and unreserved public lands and nontaxable Indian lands in the State is of the total area of the State; or
(3) the percentage necessary to increase the Government’s share to the percentage that applied on June 30, 1975, under section 17(b) of the Act.
(c)Grandfather Rule.—
(1)In general.—In the case of any project approved after September 30, 2003, at a small hub airport or nonhub airport that is located in a State containing unappropriated and unreserved public lands and nontaxable Indian lands (individual and tribal) of more than 5 percent of the total area of all lands in the State, the Government’s share of allowable costs of the project shall be increased by the same ratio as the basic share of allowable costs of a project divided into the increased (Public Lands States) share of allowable costs of a project as shown on documents of the Federal Aviation Administration dated August 3, 1979, at airports for which the general share was 80 percent on August 3, 1979. This subsection shall apply only if—
(A) the State contained unappropriated and unreserved public lands and nontaxable Indian lands of more than 5 percent of the total area of all lands in the State on August 3, 1979; and
(B) the application under subsection (b), does not increase the Government’s share of allowable costs of the project.
(2) The Government’s share of allowable project costs determined under this subsection shall not exceed the lesser of 93.75 percent or the highest percentage Government share applicable to any project in any State under subsection (b), except that at a primary non-hub and non-primary commercial service airport located in a State as set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection that is within 15 miles of another State as set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Government’s share shall be an average of the Government share applicable to any project in each of the States.
(d)Special Rule for Privately Owned Reliever Airports.—If a privately owned reliever airport contributes any lands, easements, or rights-of-way to carry out a project under this subchapter, the current fair market value of such lands, easements, or rights-of-way shall be credited toward the non-Federal share of allowable project costs.
(e)Special Rule for Transition From Small Hub to Medium Hub Status.—If the status of a small hub airport changes to a medium hub airport, the Government’s share of allowable project costs for the airport may not exceed 90 percent for the first 2 fiscal years after such change in hub status.
(f)Special Rule for Economically Distressed Communities.—The Government’s share of allowable project costs shall be 95 percent for a project at an airport that—
(1) is receiving essential air service for which compensation was provided to an air carrier under subchapter II of chapter 417; and
(2) is located in an area that meets one or more of the criteria established in section 301(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3161(a)), as determined by the Secretary of Commerce.
(g)Special Rule for Covered Equipment.—
(1)In general.—The Government’s share of allowable project costs for covered equipment and its installation shall be 100 percent.
(2)Definition of covered equipment.—For purposes of this subsection, the term “covered equipment” means aqueous film forming foam input-based testing equipment that is eligible for Airport Improvement Program funding based on Federal Aviation Administration PGL 21–01, titled “Extension of Eligibility for stand-alone acquisition of input-based testing equipment and truck modification”, dated October 5, 2021 (or any other successor program guidance letter).
(3)Sunset.—The higher cost share authority established in this subsection shall terminate on the earlier of—
(A) 180 days after the date on which the eligibility of covered equipment for Airport Improvement Program funding under the authority described in paragraph (2) terminates or is discontinued by the Administrator; or
(B) 5 years after the date of enactment of this subsection.
(h)Special Rule for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Government’s share of allowable project costs for a grant made to a nonhub or nonprimary airport in each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026 shall be 95 percent.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1264; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 114, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1579; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 149(c), title XII, § 1211, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3227, 3282; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 126, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 76; Pub. L. 107–71, title I, § 119(a)(4), Nov. 19, 2001, 115 Stat. 629; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, §§ 162, 163, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2513; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 137, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 24; Pub. L. 113–235, div. K, title I, § 119F, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2704; Pub. L. 115–31, div. K, title I, § 119E, May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 734; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 134, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3209; Pub. L. 117–254, § 2(a), Dec. 20, 2022, 136 Stat. 2361; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 708, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1251.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47109

§ 47110. Allowable project costs
(a)General Authority.—Except as provided in section 47111 of this title, the United States Government may pay or be obligated to pay, from amounts appropriated to carry out this subchapter, a cost incurred in carrying out a project under this subchapter only if the Secretary of Transportation decides the cost is allowable.
(b)Allowable Cost Standards.—A project cost is allowable—
(1)
(A) if the cost necessarily is incurred in carrying out the project in compliance with the grant agreement made for the project under this subchapter, including any cost a sponsor incurs related to an audit the Secretary requires under section 47121(b) or (d) of this title and any cost of moving a Federal facility impeding the project if the rebuilt facility is of an equivalent size and type; or
(B) if the cost is an incentive payment incurred in carrying out the project described in subparagraph (A) that is to be provided to a contractor upon early completion of a project, if—
(i) such payment does not exceed the lesser of 5 percent of the initial construction contract amount or $1,000,000;
(ii) the level of contractor’s control of, or access to, the worksite necessary to shorten the duration of the project does not negatively impact the operation of the airport;
(iii) the contract specifies application of the incentive structure in the event of unforeseeable, non-weather delays beyond the control of the contractor;
(iv) nothing in any agreement with the contractor prevents the airport operator from retaining responsibility for the safety, efficiency, and capacity of the airport during the execution of the grant agreement; and
(v) the Secretary determines that the use of an incentive payment is likely to increase airport capacity or efficiency or result in cost savings as a result of shortening the project’s duration;
(2)
(A) if the cost is incurred after the grant agreement is executed and is for airport development or airport planning carried out after the grant agreement is executed;
(B) if the cost is incurred after June 1, 1989, by the airport operator (regardless of when the grant agreement is executed) as part of a Government-approved noise compatibility program (including project formulation costs) and is consistent with all applicable statutory and administrative requirements;
(C) if the Government’s share is paid only with amounts apportioned under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 47114(c) or section 47114(d)(3)(A) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
and if the cost is incurred—
(i) after September 30, 1996;
(ii) before a grant agreement is executed for the project; and
(iii) in accordance with an airport layout plan approved by the Secretary and with all statutory and administrative requirements that would have been applicable to the project if the project had been carried out after the grant agreement had been executed; or
(D) if the cost is for airport development and is incurred before execution of the grant agreement, but in the same fiscal year as execution of the grant agreement, and if—
(i) the cost was incurred before execution of the grant agreement because the airport has a shortened construction season due to climatic conditions in the vicinity of the airport;
(ii) the cost is in accordance with an airport layout plan approved by the Secretary and with all statutory and administrative requirements that would have been applicable to the project if the project had been carried out after execution of the grant agreement, including submission of a complete grant application to the appropriate regional or district office of the Federal Aviation Administration;
(iii) the sponsor notifies the Secretary before authorizing work to commence on the project;
(iv) the sponsor has an alternative funding source available to fund the project; and
(v) the sponsor’s decision to proceed with the project in advance of execution of the grant agreement does not affect the priority assigned to the project by the Secretary for the allocation of discretionary funds;
(3) to the extent the cost is reasonable in amount;
(4) if the cost is not incurred in a project for airport development or airport planning for which other Government assistance has been granted;
(5) if the total costs allowed for the project are not more than the amount stated in the grant agreement as the maximum the Government will pay (except as provided in section 47108(b) of this title);
(6) if the cost is for a project not described in section 47102(3) for acquiring for use at a commercial service airport vehicles and ground support equipment owned by an airport that include low-emission technology, but only to the extent of the incremental cost of equipping such vehicles or equipment with low-emission technology, as determined by the Secretary; and
(7) if the cost is incurred on a measure to improve the efficiency of an airport building (such as a measure designed to meet one or more of the criteria for being considered a high-performance green building as set forth under section 401(13) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17061(13))) and—
(A) the measure is for a project for airport development;
(B) the measure is for an airport building that is otherwise eligible for construction assistance under this subchapter; and
(C) if the measure results in an increase in initial project costs, the increase is justified by expected savings over the life cycle of the project.
(c)Certain Prior Costs as Allowable Costs.—The Secretary may decide that a project cost under subsection (b)(2)(A) of this section incurred before the date the grant agreement is executed is allowable if it is—
(1) necessarily incurred in formulating or preparing for an airport development project, including costs incurred for field surveys, plans and specifications, property interests in land or airspace, utility relocation, work site preparation, and administration or other incidental items that would not have been incurred except for the project; or
(2) necessarily and directly incurred in developing the work scope of an airport planning project.
(d)Relocation of Airport-Owned Facilities.—The Secretary may determine that the costs of relocating or replacing an airport-owned facility are allowable for an airport development project at an airport only if—
(1) the Government’s share of such costs will be paid with funds apportioned to the airport sponsor under section 47114 or distributed from the small airport fund under section 47116;
(2) the Secretary determines that the relocation or replacement is required due to a change in the Secretary’s design standards; and
(3) the Secretary determines that the change is beyond the control of the airport sponsor.
(e)Letters of Intent.—
(1) The Secretary may issue a letter of intent to the sponsor stating an intention to obligate from future budget authority an amount, not more than the Government’s share of allowable project costs, for an airport development project (including costs of formulating the project) at a primary or reliever airport. The letter shall establish a schedule under which the Secretary will reimburse the sponsor for the Government’s share of allowable project costs, as amounts become available, if the sponsor, after the Secretary issues the letter, carries out the project without receiving amounts under this subchapter.
(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection applies to a project—
(A) about which the sponsor notifies the Secretary, before the project begins, of the sponsor’s intent to carry out the project;
(B) that will comply with all statutory and administrative requirements that would apply to the project if it were carried out with amounts made available under this subchapter; and
(C) that meets the criteria of section 47115(d) and, if for a project at a medium hub airport or large hub airport, the Secretary decides will enhance system-wide airport capacity significantly.
(3) A letter of intent issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection is not an obligation of the Government under section 1501 of title 31, and the letter is not deemed to be an administrative commitment for financing. An obligation or administrative commitment may be made only as amounts are provided in authorization and appropriation laws.
(4) The total estimated amount of future Government obligations covered by all outstanding letters of intent under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not be more than the amount authorized to carry out section 48103 of this title, less an amount reasonably estimated by the Secretary to be needed for grants under section 48103 that are not covered by a letter.
(5)Letters of intent.—The Secretary may not require an eligible agency to impose a passenger facility charge under section 40117 in order to obtain a letter of intent under this section.
(6)Limitation on statutory construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the obligation of amounts pursuant to a letter of intent under this subsection in the same fiscal year as the letter of intent is issued.
(7)Partnership program airports.—The Secretary may issue a letter of intent under this subsection to an airport sponsor with an approved application under section 47134(b) if—
(A) the application was approved in fiscal year 2019; and
(B) the project meets all other requirements set forth in this chapter.
(f)Nonallowable Costs.—Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section and section 47118(f) of this title, a cost is not an allowable airport development project cost if it is for—
(1) constructing a public parking facility for passenger automobiles;
(2) constructing, altering, or repairing part of an airport building, except to the extent the building will be used for facilities or activities directly related to the safety of individuals at the airport;
(3) decorative landscaping; or
(4) providing or installing sculpture or art works.
(g)Use of Discretionary Funds.—A project for which cost reimbursement is provided under subsection (b)(2)(C) shall not receive priority consideration with respect to the use of discretionary funds made available under section 47115 of this title even if the amounts made available under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 47114(c) or section 47114(d)(3)(A) 1 are not sufficient to cover the Government’s share of the cost of the project.
(h)Nonprimary Airports.—The Secretary may decide that the construction costs of revenue producing aeronautical support facilities are allowable for an airport development project at a nonprimary airport if the Government’s share of such costs is paid only with funds apportioned to the airport sponsor under section 47114(c)(1)(D) or section 47114(d)(2)(A) and if the Secretary determines that the sponsor has made adequate provision for financing airside needs of the airport.
(i)Small Airport Letters of Intent.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary may issue a letter of intent to a sponsor stating an intention to obligate an amount from future budget authority for an airport development project (including costs of formulating the project) at a nonhub airport or an airport that is not a primary airport.
(2)Contents.—In the letter issued under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish a schedule under which the Secretary will reimburse the sponsor for the Government’s share of allowable project costs, as amounts become available, if the sponsor, after the Secretary issues the letter, carries out the project without receiving amounts under this subchapter.
(3)Limitations.—The amount the Secretary intends to obligate in a letter of intent issued under this subsection shall not exceed the larger of—
(A) the Government’s share of allowable project costs; or
(B) $10,000,000.
(4)Financing.—Allowable project costs under paragraphs (1) and (2) may include costs associated with making payments for debt service on indebtedness incurred to carry out the project.
(5)Requirements.—The Secretary shall issue a letter of intent under paragraph (1) only if—
(A) the sponsor notifies the Secretary, before the project begins, of the intent of the sponsor to carry out the project and requests a letter of intent; and
(B) the sponsor agrees to comply with all statutory and administrative requirements that would apply to the project if it were carried out with amounts made available under this subchapter.
(6)Assessment.—In reviewing a request for a letter of intent under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider the grant history of an airport, the enplanements or operations of an airport, and such other factors as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(7)Prioritization.—In issuing letters of intent under this subsection, the Secretary shall—
(A) prioritize projects that—
(i) cannot reasonably be funded by an airport sponsor using funds apportioned under section 47114(c), 47114(d)(2)(A), or 47114(d)(6), including funds apportioned under such sections in multiple fiscal years pursuant to section 47117(b)(1); and
(ii) are necessary to the continued safe operation or development of an airport; and
(B) structure the reimbursement schedules under such letters in a manner that minimizes unnecessary or undesirable project segmentation.
(8)No obligation or commitment.—
(A)In general.—A letter of intent issued under this subsection is not an obligation of the Government under section 1501 of title 31, and the letter is not deemed to be an administrative commitment for financing.
(B)Obligation or commitment.—An obligation or administrative commitment may be made only as amounts are provided in authorization and appropriation Acts.
(9)Limitation on statutory construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the obligation of amounts pursuant to a letter of intent under this subsection in the same fiscal year as the letter of intent is issued.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1264; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 115, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1579; Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(64), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4385; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 144, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3222; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 127, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 76; Pub. L. 107–71, title I, § 119(a)(2), Nov. 19, 2001, 115 Stat. 628; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, §§ 145, 149(b), 159(c), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2504, 2505, 2511; Pub. L. 109–115, div. A, title I, § 176(b), Nov. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2427; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, §§ 111(c)(2)(A)(ii), 138, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 18, 25; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 184(b), title V, § 539(n), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3234, 3371; Pub. L. 117–186, § 2, Oct. 10, 2022, 136 Stat. 2199; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, §§ 709–710(b)(1), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1252, 1253.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47110

§ 47111. Payments under project grant agreements
(a)General Authority.—After making a project grant agreement under this subchapter and consulting with the sponsor, the Secretary of Transportation may decide when and in what amounts payments under the agreement will be made. Payments totaling not more than 90 percent of the United States Government’s share of the project’s estimated allowable costs may be made before the project is completed if the sponsor certifies to the Secretary that the total amount expended from the advance payments at any time will not be more than the cost of the airport development work completed on the project at that time.
(b)Recovering Payments.—If the Secretary determines that the total amount of payments made under a grant agreement under this subchapter is more than the Government’s share of the total allowable project costs, the Government may recover the excess amount. If the Secretary finds that a project for which an advance payment was made has not been completed within a reasonable time, the Government may recover any part of the advance payment for which the Government received no benefit.
(c)Payment Deposits.—A payment under a project grant agreement under this subchapter may be made only to an official or depository designated by the sponsor and authorized by law to receive public money.
(d)Withholding Payments.—
(1) The Secretary may withhold a payment under a grant agreement under this subchapter for more than 180 days after the payment is due only if the Secretary—
(A) notifies the sponsor and provides an opportunity for a hearing; and
(B) finds that the sponsor has violated the agreement.
(2) The 180-day period may be extended by—
(A) agreement of the Secretary and the sponsor; or
(B) the hearing officer if the officer decides an extension is necessary because the sponsor did not follow the schedule the officer established.
(3) A person adversely affected by an order of the Secretary withholding a payment may apply for review of the order by filing a petition in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or in the court of appeals of the United States for the circuit in which the project is located. The petition must be filed not later than 60 days after the order is served on the petitioner.
(e)Action on Grant Assurances Concerning Airport Revenues.—If, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, the Secretary finds a violation of section 47107(b) of this title, as further defined by the Secretary under section 47107(k) of this title, or a violation of an assurance made under section 47107(b) of this title, and the Secretary has provided an opportunity for the airport sponsor to take corrective action to cure such violation, and such corrective action has not been taken within the period of time set by the Secretary, the Secretary shall withhold approval of any new grant application for funds under this chapter, or any proposed modification to an existing grant that would increase the amount of funds made available under this chapter to the airport sponsor, and withhold approval of any new application to impose a charge under section 40117 of this title. Such applications may thereafter be approved only upon a finding by the Secretary that such corrective action as the Secretary requires has been taken to address the violation and that the violation no longer exists.
(f)Judicial Enforcement.—For any violation of this chapter or any grant assurance made under this chapter, the Secretary may apply to the district court of the United States for any district in which the violation occurred for enforcement. Such court shall have jurisdiction to enforce obedience thereto by a writ of injunction or other process, mandatory or otherwise, restraining any person from further violation.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1266; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 112(b), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1575; Pub. L. 113–188, title XV, § 1501(b)(2)(C), Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2024; Pub. L. 118–63, title XI, § 1101(u), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1414.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47111

§ 47112. Carrying out airport development projects
(a)Construction Work.—The Secretary of Transportation may inspect and approve construction work for an airport development project carried out under a grant agreement under this subchapter. The construction work must be carried out in compliance with regulations the Secretary prescribes. The regulations shall require the sponsor to make necessary cost and progress reports on the project. The regulations may amend or modify a contract related to the project only if the contract was made with actual notice of the regulations.
(b)Prevailing Wages.—A contract for more than $2,000 involving labor for an airport development project carried out under a grant agreement under this subchapter must require contractors to pay labor minimum wage rates as determined by the Secretary of Labor under sections 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147 of title 40. The minimum rates must be included in the bids for the work and in the invitation for those bids.
(c)Veterans’ Preference.—
(1) In this subsection—
(A) “disabled veteran” has the same meaning given that term in section 2108 of title 5.
(B) “Vietnam-era veteran” means an individual who served on active duty (as defined in section 101 of title 38) in the armed forces for more than 180 consecutive days, any part of which occurred after August 4, 1964, and before May 8, 1975, and who was discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions.
(C) “Afghanistan-Iraq war veteran” means an individual who served on active duty (as defined in section 101 of title 38) in the armed forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, or any successor contingency operation to such operations for more than 180 consecutive days, any part of which occurred after September 11, 2001, and before the date prescribed by presidential proclamation or by law as the last day of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, or any successor contingency operation to such operations (whichever is later), and who was discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions.
(D) “Persian Gulf veteran” means an individual who served on active duty in the armed forces in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War for more than 180 consecutive days, any part of which occurred after August 2, 1990, and before the date prescribed by presidential proclamation or by law, and who was discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions.
(2) A contract involving labor for carrying out an airport development project under a grant agreement under this subchapter must require that preference in the employment of labor (except in executive, administrative, and supervisory positions) be given to Vietnam-era veterans, Persian Gulf veterans, Afghanistan-Iraq war veterans, disabled veterans, and small business concerns (as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)) owned and controlled by disabled veterans when they are available and qualified for the employment.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1267; Pub. L. 107–217, § 3(n)(8), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 139, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 26; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 135, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3209.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47112

§ 47113. Minority and disadvantaged business participation
(a)Definitions.—In this section—
(1) “small business concern”—
(A) has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632); but
(B) in the case of a concern in the construction industry, a concern shall be considered a small business concern if the concern meets the size standard for the North American Industry Classification System Code 237310, as adjusted by the Small Business Administration;
(2) “socially and economically disadvantaged individual” has the same meaning given that term in section 8(d) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 637(d)) and relevant subcontracting regulations prescribed under section 8(d), except that women are presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged; and
(3) the term “qualified HUBZone small business concern” has the meaning given that term in section 31(b) of the Small Business Act.
(b)General Requirement.—Except to the extent the Secretary decides otherwise, at least 10 percent of amounts available in a fiscal year under section 48103 of this title shall be expended with small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or qualified HUBZone small business concerns.
(c)Uniform Criteria.—The Secretary shall establish minimum uniform criteria for State governments and airport sponsors to use in certifying whether a small business concern qualifies under this section. The criteria shall include on-site visits, personal interviews, licenses, analyses of stock ownership and bonding capacity, listings of equipment and work completed, resumes of principal owners, financial capacity, and type of work preferred.
(d)Surveys and Lists.—Each State or airport sponsor annually shall survey and compile a list of small business concerns referred to in subsection (b) of this section and the location of each concern in the State.
(e)Mandatory Training Program.—
(1)In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a mandatory training program for persons described in paragraph (3) to provide streamlined training on certifying whether a small business concern qualifies as a small business concern owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals under this section and section 47107(e).
(2)Implementation.—The training program may be implemented by one or more private entities approved by the Secretary.
(3)Participants.—A person referred to in paragraph (1) is an official or agent of an airport sponsor—
(A) who is required to provide a written assurance under this section or section 47107(e) that the airport owner or operator will meet the percentage goal of subsection (b) of this section or section 47107(e)(1), as the case may be; or
(B) who is responsible for determining whether or not a small business concern qualifies as a small business concern owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals under this section or section 47107(e).
(f)Supportive Services.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, may, at the request of an airport sponsor, provide assistance under a grant issued under this subchapter to develop, conduct, and administer training programs and assistance programs in connection with any airport improvement project subject to part 26 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, for small business concerns referred to in subsection (b) to achieve proficiency to compete, on an equal basis for contracts and subcontracts related to such projects.
(2)Eligible entities.—An entity eligible to receive assistance under this section is—
(A) a State;
(B) a political subdivision of a State or local government;
(C) a Tribal government;
(D) an airport sponsor;
(E) a metropolitan planning organization;
(F) a group of entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (E); or
(G) any other organization considered appropriate by the Secretary.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1268; Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(65), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4386; Pub. L. 105–135, title VI, § 604(h)(2), Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2635; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 140(b), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 27; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(a)(4)(G)(ii), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1796; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 150, title V, § 539(o), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3215, 3371; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 730(b), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1272.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47113

§ 47114. Apportionments
(a)Definition.—In this section, “amount subject to apportionment” means the amount newly made available under section 48103 of this title for a fiscal year.
(b)Apportionment Date.—On the first day of each fiscal year, the Secretary of Transportation shall apportion the amount subject to apportionment for that fiscal year as provided in this section.
(c)Amounts Apportioned to Sponsors.—
(1)Primary and commercial service airports.—
(A)Primary airport apportionment.—The Secretary shall apportion to the sponsor of each primary airport for each fiscal year an amount equal to—
(i) $15.60 for each of the first 50,000 passenger boardings at the airport during the prior calendar year;
(ii) $10.40 for each of the next 50,000 passenger boardings at the airport during the prior calendar year;
(iii) $5.20 for each of the next 400,000 passenger boardings at the airport during the prior calendar year;
(iv) $1.30 for each of the next 500,000 passenger boardings at the airport during the prior calendar year; and
(v) $1.00 for each additional passenger boarding at the airport during the prior calendar year.
(B)Minimum and maximum apportionments.—Not less than $1,300,000 nor more than $22,000,000 may be apportioned under subparagraph (A) to an airport sponsor for a primary airport for each fiscal year.
(C)New airport.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall apportion in the first fiscal year following the official opening of a new airport with scheduled passenger air transportation an amount equal to $1,300,000 to the sponsor of such airport.
(D)Nonprimary commercial service airport apportionment.—
(i)In general.—The Secretary shall apportion to each commercial service airport that is not a primary airport an amount equal to—(I) $60 for each of the first 2,500 passenger boardings at the airport during the prior calendar year; and(II) $153.33 for each of the next 7,499 passenger boardings at the airport during the prior calendar year.
(ii)Applicability.—Paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (d) shall apply to funds apportioned under this subparagraph.
(E)Public airports with military use.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a public airport shall be considered a primary airport in each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028 for purposes of this chapter if such airport was—
(i) designated as a primary airport in fiscal year 2017; and
(ii) in use by an air reserve station in the calendar year used to calculate apportionments to airport sponsors in a fiscal year.
(F)Special rule for fiscal year 2024.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph or the absence of scheduled passenger service at an airport, the Secretary shall apportion in fiscal year 2024 to the sponsor of an airport an amount based on the number of passenger boardings at the airport during whichever of the following years that would result in the highest apportioned amount under this paragraph:
(i) Calendar year 2018.
(ii) Calendar year 2019.
(iii) The prior full calendar year prior to fiscal year 2024.
(2)Cargo airports.—
(A)Apportionment.—Subject to subparagraph (D), the Secretary shall apportion an amount equal to 4 percent of the amount subject to apportionment each fiscal year to the sponsors of airports served by aircraft providing air transportation of only cargo with a total annual landed weight of more than 25,000,000 pounds.
(B)Suballocation formula.—Any funds apportioned under subparagraph (A) to sponsors of airports described in subparagraph (A) shall be allocated among those airports in the proportion that the total annual landed weight of aircraft described in subparagraph (A) landing at each of those airports bears to the total annual landed weight of those aircraft landing at all those airports.
(C)Distribution to other airports.—Before apportioning amounts to the sponsors of airports under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may set-aside a portion of such amounts for distribution to the sponsors of other airports, selected by the Secretary, that the Secretary finds will be served primarily by aircraft providing air transportation of only cargo.
(D)Determination of landed weight.—Landed weight under this paragraph is the landed weight of aircraft landing at each airport described in subparagraph (A) during the prior calendar year.
(d)Amounts Apportioned for General Aviation Airports.—
(1)Definitions.—In this subsection, the following definitions apply:
(A)Area.—The term “area” includes land and water.
(B)Population.—The term “population” means the population stated in the latest decennial census of the United States.
(2)Apportionment.—In any fiscal year in which the total amount made available under section 48103 is $3,200,000,000 or more, rather than making an apportionment under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall apportion 25 percent of the amount subject to apportionment for each fiscal year as follows:
(A) To each airport, excluding commercial service airports but including reliever airports, in States the lesser of—
(i) $150,000; or
(ii) ⅕ of the most recently published estimate of the 5-year costs for airport improvement for the airport, as listed in the national plan of integrated airport systems developed by the Federal Aviation Administration under section 47103.
(B) Any remaining amount to States as follows:
(i) 0.62 percent of the remaining amount to Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
(ii) Except as provided in paragraph (4), 49.69 percent of the remaining amount for airports, excluding commercial service airports but including reliever airports, in States not named in clause (i) in the proportion that the population of each of those States bears to the total population of all of those States.
(iii) Except as provided in paragraph (4), 49.69 percent of the remaining amount for airports, excluding commercial service airports but including reliever airports, in States not named in clause (i) in the proportion that the area of each of those States bears to the total area of all of those States.
(C) An airport that has previously been listed as unclassified under the national plan of integrated airport systems that has reestablished the classified status of such airport as of the date of apportionment shall be eligible to accrue apportionment funds pursuant to subparagraph (A) so long as such airport retains such classified status.
(3)Airports in noncontiguous states and territories.—
(A)Alaska, puerto rico, and hawaii.—An amount apportioned under this subsection to Alaska, Puerto Rico, or Hawaii for airports in such State may be made available by the Secretary for any public airport in those respective jurisdictions.
(B)Other territories.—An amount apportioned under paragraph (2)(B)(i) may be made available by the Secretary for any public-use airport in Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands if the Secretary determines that there are insufficient qualified grant applications for projects at airports that are otherwise eligible for funding under that paragraph. The Secretary shall prioritize the use of such amounts in the territory the amount was originally apportioned in.
(4)Use of state highway specifications.—The Secretary shall use the highway specifications of a State for airfield pavement construction and improvement using funds made available under this subsection or subsection (c)(1)(D) at nonprimary airports serving aircraft that do not exceed 60,000 pounds gross weight if—
(A) such State requests the use of such specifications; and
(B) the Secretary determines that—
(i) safety will not be negatively affected; and
(ii) the life of the pavement, with necessary maintenance and upkeep, will not be shorter than it would be if constructed using Administration standards.
(5)Integrated airport system planning.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, funds made available under this subsection or subsection (c)(1)(D) may be used for integrated airport system planning that encompasses one or more primary airports.
(6)Eligibility to receive primary airport minimum apportionment amount.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Secretary may apportion to an airport sponsor in a fiscal year an amount equal to the minimum apportionment available under subsection (c)(1)(B) if the Secretary finds that the airport—
(A) received scheduled or unscheduled air service from a large certificated air carrier (as defined in part 241 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or such other regulations as may be issued by the Secretary under the authority of section 41709) in the calendar year used to calculate the apportionment; and
(B) had more than 10,000 passenger boardings in the calendar year used to calculate the apportionment.
(e)Supplemental Apportionment for Alaska.—
(1)In general.—Notwithstanding subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the Secretary may apportion amounts for airports in Alaska in the way in which amounts were apportioned in the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980, under section 15(a) of the Act. However, in apportioning amounts for a fiscal year under this subsection, the Secretary shall apportion—
(A) for each primary airport at least as much as would be apportioned for the airport under subsection (c)(1) of this section; and
(B) a total amount at least equal to the minimum amount required to be apportioned to airports in Alaska in the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980, under section 15(a)(3)(A) of the Act.
(2)Authority for discretionary grants.—This subsection does not prohibit the Secretary from making project grants for airports in Alaska from the discretionary fund under section 47115 of this title.
(3)Airports eligible for funds.—An amount apportioned under this subsection may be used for any public airport in Alaska.
(4)Special rule.—In any fiscal year in which the total amount made available under section 48103 is $3,200,000,000 or more, the amount that may be apportioned for airports in Alaska under paragraph (1) shall be increased by doubling the amount that would otherwise be apportioned.
(f)Reducing Apportionments.—
(1)In general.—Subject to paragraph (3), an amount that would be apportioned under this section (except subsection (c)(2)) in a fiscal year to the sponsor of a medium or large hub airport for which a charge is imposed in the fiscal year under section 40117 of this title shall be reduced by an amount equal to—
(A) in the case of a charge of $3.00 or less—
(i) except as provided in clause (ii), 40 percent of the projected revenues from the charge in the fiscal year but not by more than 40 percent of the amount that otherwise would be apportioned under this section; or
(ii) with respect to an airport in Hawaii, 40 percent of the projected revenues from the charge in the fiscal year but not by more than 40 percent of the excess of—(I) the amount that otherwise would be apportioned under this section; over(II) the amount equal to the amount specified in subclause (I) multiplied by the percentage of the total passenger boardings at the applicable airport that are comprised of interisland passengers; and
(B) in the case of a charge of more than $3.00—
(i) except as provided in clause (ii), 60 percent of the projected revenues from the charge in the fiscal year but not by more than 60 percent of the amount that otherwise would be apportioned under this section; or
(ii) with respect to an airport in Hawaii, 60 percent of the projected revenues from the charge in the fiscal year but not by more than 60 percent of the excess of—(I) the amount that otherwise would be apportioned under this section; over(II) the amount equal to the amount specified in subclause (I) multiplied by the percentage of the total passenger boardings at the applicable airport that are comprised of interisland passengers.
(2)Effective date of reduction.—
(A)New charge collection.—A reduction in an apportionment under paragraph (1) shall not take effect until the first fiscal year following the year in which the collection of the charge imposed under section 40117 has begun.
(B)New categorization.—A reduction in an apportionment under paragraph (1) shall only be applied to an airport if such airport has been designated as a medium or large hub airport for 3 consecutive years.
(g)Supplemental Apportionment for Puerto Rico and United States Territories.—The Secretary shall apportion amounts for airports in Puerto Rico and all other United States territories in accordance with this section. This subsection does not prohibit the Secretary from making project grants for airports in Puerto Rico or other United States territories from the discretionary fund under section 47115.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1268; Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(66), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4386; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 121, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3217; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, §§ 104(a)–(d), 105(c), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 67–71; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, §§ 146, 147, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2504; Pub. L. 109–115, div. A, title I, § 109, Nov. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2402; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, §§ 111(c)(2)(A)(iii), 141–143, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 18, 28, 29; Pub. L. 114–190, title II, § 2301, July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 638; Pub. L. 115–63, title I, § 102(b), Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1169; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, §§ 136, 148(b), 151, 164, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3210, 3214, 3215, 3225; Pub. L. 116–260, div. L, title IV, § 422, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1909; Pub. L. 118–15, div. B, title II, § 2201(e), Sept. 30, 2023, 137 Stat. 82; Pub. L. 118–34, title I, § 101(e), Dec. 26, 2023, 137 Stat. 1113; Pub. L. 118–41, title I, § 101(e), Mar. 8, 2024, 138 Stat. 21; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, §§ 712(a), (b), 713(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1254, 1255, 1257.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47114

§ 47115. Discretionary fund
(a)Existence and Amounts in Fund.—The Secretary of Transportation has a discretionary fund. The fund consists of—
(1) amounts subject to apportionment for a fiscal year that are not apportioned under section 47114(c)–(e) of this title; and
(2) 12.5 percent of amounts not apportioned under section 47114 of this title because of section 47114(f).
(b)Availability of Amounts.—Subject to subsection (c) of this section and section 47117(e) of this title, the fund is available for making grants for any purpose for which amounts are made available under section 48103 of this title that the Secretary considers most appropriate to carry out this subchapter.
(c)Minimum Percentage for Primary and Reliever Airports.—At least 75 percent of the amount in the fund and distributed by the Secretary in a fiscal year shall be used for making grants—
(1) to preserve and enhance capacity, safety, and security at primary and reliever airports; and
(2) to carry out airport noise compatibility planning and programs at primary and reliever airports.
(d)Considerations.—
(1)For capacity enhancement projects.—In selecting a project for a grant to preserve and improve capacity funded in whole or in part from the fund, the Secretary shall consider—
(A) the effect that the project will have on overall national transportation system capacity;
(B) the benefit and cost of the project, including, in the case of a project at a reliever airport, the number of operations projected to be diverted from a primary airport to the reliever airport as a result of the project, as well as the cost savings projected to be realized by users of the local airport system;
(C) the financial commitment from non-United States Government sources to preserve or improve airport capacity;
(D) the airport improvement priorities of the States to the extent such priorities are not in conflict with subparagraphs (A) and (B);
(E) the projected growth in the number of passengers or aircraft that will be using the airport at which the project will be carried out; and
(F) the ability of the project to foster United States competitiveness in securing global air cargo activity at a United States airport.
(2)For all projects.—In selecting a project for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall consider among other factors whether—
(A) funding has been provided for all other projects qualifying for funding during the fiscal year under this chapter that have attained a higher score under the numerical priority system employed by the Secretary in administering the fund; and
(B) the sponsor will be able to commence the work identified in the project application in the fiscal year in which the grant is made or within 6 months after the grant is made, whichever is later.
(e)Waiving Percentage Requirement.—If the Secretary decides the Secretary cannot comply with the percentage requirement of subsection (c) of this section in a fiscal year because there are insufficient qualified grant applications to meet that percentage, the amount the Secretary determines will not be distributed as required by subsection (c) is available for obligation during the fiscal year without regard to the requirement.
(f)Consideration of Diversion of Revenues in Awarding Discretionary Grants.—
(1)General rule.—Subject to paragraph (2), in deciding whether or not to distribute funds to an airport from the discretionary funds established by subsection (a) of this section and section 47116 of this title, the Secretary shall consider as a factor militating against the distribution of such funds to the airport the fact that the airport is using revenues generated by the airport or by local taxes on aviation fuel for purposes other than capital or operating costs of the airport or the local airports system or other local facilities which are owned or operated by the owner or operator of the airport and directly and substantially related to the actual air transportation of passengers or property.
(2)Required finding.—Paragraph (1) shall apply only when the Secretary finds that the amount of revenues used by the airport for purposes other than capital or operating costs in the airport’s fiscal year preceding the date of the application for discretionary funds exceeds the amount of such revenues in the airport’s first fiscal year ending after August 23, 1994, adjusted by the Secretary for changes in the Consumer Price Index of All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.
(g)Minimum Amount To Be Credited.—
(1)General rule.—In a fiscal year, there shall be credited to the fund, out of amounts made available under section 48103 of this title, an amount that is at least equal to the sum of—
(A) $148,000,000; plus
(B) the total amount required from the fund to carry out in the fiscal year letters of intent issued before January 1, 1996, under section 47110(e) of this title or the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982.
The amount credited is exclusive of amounts that have been apportioned in a prior fiscal year under section 47114 of this title and that remain available for obligation.
(2)Reduction of apportionments.—In a fiscal year in which the amount credited under subsection (a) is less than the minimum amount to be credited under paragraph (1), the total amount calculated under paragraph (3) shall be reduced by an amount that, when credited to the fund, together with the amount credited under subsection (a), equals such minimum amount.
(3)Amount of reduction.—For a fiscal year, the total amount available to make a reduction to carry out paragraph (2) is the total of the amounts determined under sections 47114(c)(1)(A), 47114(c)(2), 47114(d), and 47117(e) of this title. Each amount shall be reduced by an equal percentage to achieve the reduction.
(h)Priority for Letters of Intent.—In making grants in a fiscal year with funds made available under this section, the Secretary shall fulfill intentions to obligate under section 47110(e) prior to fulfilling intentions to obligate under section 47110(i).
(i)Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.—For fiscal years 2024 through 2028, the sponsors of airports located in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau shall be eligible for grants under this section and section 47116.
(j)Airport Safety and Resilient Infrastructure Discretionary Program.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary shall establish a program to provide grants, subject to the conditions of this subsection, for any purpose for which amounts are made available under section 48103 that the Secretary considers most appropriate to carry out this subchapter.
(2)Treatment of grants.—
(A)In general.—A grant made under this subsection shall be treated as having been made pursuant to the Secretary’s authority under section 47104(a) and from the Secretary’s discretionary fund under subsection (a) of this section.
(B)Exception.—Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, grants made under this subsection shall not be subject to subsection (c), section 47117(e), or any other apportionment formula, special apportionment category, or minimum percentage set forth in this chapter.
(3)Eligibility and prioritization.—
(A)Eligibility.—The Secretary may provide grants under this subsection for an airport or terminal development project at any airport that is eligible to receive a grant from the discretionary fund under subsection (a) of this section.
(B)Minimum allocation.—Not less than 50 percent of the amounts available under this subsection shall be used to provide grants at nonprimary, nonhub, and small hub airports.
(C)Prioritization.—In making grants for projects eligible under subparagraph (D)(iii), the Secretary shall prioritize grants to large and medium hub airports.
(D)Eligibilities.—In making grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide grants to airports for projects that—
(i) meet the definition of “airport development” under section 47102(3)(T);
(ii) would otherwise increase the resilience of airport infrastructure against changing flooding or inundation patterns; or
(iii) reduce runway incursions or increase runway or taxiway safety.
(4)Authorization.—
(A)In general.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection the following amounts:
(i) $532,392,074 for fiscal year 2024.
(ii) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
(iii) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
(iv) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
(v) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.
(B)Availability.—Sums authorized to be appropriated under subparagraph (A) shall remain available for 3 fiscal years.
(k)Partnership Program Airports.—
(1)Authority.—The Secretary may make grants with funds made available under this section for an airport participating in the program under section 47134 if—
(A) the Secretary has approved the application of an airport sponsor under section 47134(b) in fiscal year 2019; and
(B) the grant will—
(i) satisfy an obligation incurred by an airport sponsor under section 47110(e) or funded by a nonpublic sponsor for an airport development project on the airport; or
(ii) provide partial Federal reimbursement for airport development (as defined in section 47102) on the airport layout plan initiated in the fiscal year in which the application was approved, or later, for over a period of not more than 10 years.
(2)Nonapplicability of certain sections.—Grants made under this subsection shall not be subject to—
(A) subsection (c) of this section;
(B) section 47117(e); or
(C) any other apportionment formula, special apportionment category, or minimum percentage set forth in this chapter.
(l)Special Carryover Assumption Rule.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in addition to amounts made available under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), the Secretary may add to the discretionary fund an amount equal to one-third of the apportionment funds made available under section 47114 that were not required during the previous fiscal year pursuant to section 47117(b)(1) out of the anticipated amount of apportionment funds made available under section 47114 that will not be required during the current fiscal year pursuant to section 47117(b)(1).
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1270; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 112(d), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1576; Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(67), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4386; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, §§ 122, 145, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3218, 3222; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(81), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3397; Pub. L. 106–6, §§ 5, 8(a), Mar. 31, 1999, 113 Stat. 10, 11; Pub. L. 107–71, title I, § 119(a)(3), Nov. 19, 2001, 115 Stat. 628; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, §§ 148, 188, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2504, 2519; Pub. L. 110–253, § 3(c)(5), June 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2418; Pub. L. 110–330, § 5(f), Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3718; Pub. L. 111–12, § 5(e), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1458; Pub. L. 111–69, § 5(f), Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2055; Pub. L. 111–116, § 5(e), Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3032; Pub. L. 111–153, § 5(e), Mar. 31, 2010, 124 Stat. 1085; Pub. L. 111–161, § 5(e), Apr. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1127; Pub. L. 111–197, § 5(e), July 2, 2010, 124 Stat. 1354; Pub. L. 111–216, title I, § 104(e), Aug. 1, 2010, 124 Stat. 2349; Pub. L. 111–249, § 5(f), Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628; Pub. L. 111–329, § 5(e), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3567; Pub. L. 112–7, § 5(e), Mar. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 32; Pub. L. 112–16, § 5(e), May 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 219; Pub. L. 112–21, § 5(e), June 29, 2011, 125 Stat. 234; Pub. L. 112–27, § 5(e), Aug. 5, 2011, 125 Stat. 271; Pub. L. 112–30, title II, § 205(f), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 358; Pub. L. 112–91, § 5(f), Jan. 31, 2012, 126 Stat. 4; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 144, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 29; Pub. L. 114–55, title I, § 102(b), Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 523; Pub. L. 114–141, title I, § 102(b), Mar. 30, 2016, 130 Stat. 323; Pub. L. 114–190, title I, § 1102(b), July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 115–63, title I, § 102(c), Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1169; Pub. L. 115–141, div. M, title I, § 102(b), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1046; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, §§ 117(a), 158, 184(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3201, 3219, 3234; Pub. L. 118–15, div. B, title II, § 2202(f), (g), Sept. 30, 2023, 137 Stat. 83; Pub. L. 118–34, title I, § 102(f), (g), Dec. 26, 2023, 137 Stat. 1113; Pub. L. 118–41, title I, § 102(f), (g), Mar. 8, 2024, 138 Stat. 21; Pub. L. 118–63, title I, § 104(b), title VII, §§ 710(b)(2), 714(a), 715, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1034, 1253, 1257, 1258.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47115

§ 47116. Small airport fund
(a)Existence and Amounts in Fund.—The Secretary of Transportation has a small airport fund. The fund consists of 87.5 percent of amounts not apportioned under section 47114 of this title because of section 47114(f).
(b)Distribution of Amounts.—The Secretary may distribute amounts in the fund in each fiscal year for any purpose for which amounts are made available under section 48103 of this title as follows:
(1) Not more than 25 percent for grants for projects at small hub airports.
(2) Not less than 25 percent for grants to sponsors of public-use airports (except commercial service airports).
(3) Not less than 50 percent for grants to sponsors of commercial service airports that are not larger than a nonhub airport.
(c)Authority To Receive Grant Not Dependent on Participation in Block Grant Pilot Program.—An airport in a State participating in the State block grant pilot program under section 47128 of this title may receive a grant under this section to the same extent the airport may receive a grant if the State were not participating in the program.
(d)Priority Consideration for Certain Projects.—
(1)Construction of new runways.—In making grants to sponsors described in subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall give priority consideration to multi-year proj­ects for construction of new runways that the Secretary finds are cost beneficial and would increase capacity in a region of the United States.
(2)Control tower construction.—Notwithstanding section 47124(b)(4)(A), the Secretary may provide grants under this section to an airport sponsor participating in the contract tower program under section 47124 for the construction or improvement of a nonapproach control tower, as defined by the Secretary, and for the acquisition and installation of air traffic control, communications, and related equipment to be used in that tower. Such grants shall be subject to the distribution requirements of subsection (b) and the eligibility requirements of section 47124(b)(4)(B).
(e)General Aviation Transient Aprons.—In distributing amounts from the fund described in subsection (a) to sponsors described in subsection 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “subsections”.
(b)(2) and (b)(3), 5 percent of each amount shall be used for projects to construct or rehabilitate aprons intended to be used for itinerant general aviation aircraft parking.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1271; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 146, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3223; Pub. L. 106–6, § 8(b), Mar. 31, 1999, 113 Stat. 11; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 128, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 76; Pub. L. 108–176, title VIII, § 801(b), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2587; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, §§ 152, 154, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3216, 3217; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 716, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1259.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47116

§ 47117. Use of apportioned amounts
(a)Grant Purpose.—Except as provided in this section, an amount apportioned under section 47114(c)(1) or (d)(2) of this title is available for making grants for any purpose for which amounts are made available under section 48103 of this title.
(b)Period of Availability.—
(1)In general.—An amount apportioned under section 47114 of this title is available to be obligated for grants under the apportionment only during the fiscal year for which the amount was apportioned and the 2 fiscal years immediately after that year or the 3 fiscal years immediately following that year in the case of a nonhub airport or any airport that is not a commercial service airport. Except as provided in paragraph (2), if the amount is not obligated under the apportionment within that time, it shall be added to the discretionary fund.
(2)Expired amounts apportioned for general aviation airports.—
(A)In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if an amount apportioned under section 47114(d) is not obligated within the time specified in paragraph (1), that amount shall be added to the discretionary fund under section 47115 of this title, provided that—
(i) amounts made available under paragraph (2)(A) shall be used for grants for projects in accordance with section 47115(d)(2) at airports eligible to receive an apportionment under section 47114(d)(2); and
(ii) amounts made available under paragraph (2)(A) that are not obligated by July 1 of the fiscal year in which the funds will expire shall be made available for all projects in accordance with section 47115(d)(2).
(B)State block grant program.—If an amount apportioned to an airport under section 47114(d)(2)(A) is not obligated within the time specified in paragraph (1), and the airport is located in a State participating in the State block grant program under section 47128, the amount shall be made available to that State under the same conditions as if the State had been apportioned the amount under section 47114(d)(2)(B).
(c)Primary Airports.—
(1) An amount apportioned to a sponsor of a primary airport under section 47114(c)(1) of this title is available for grants for any public-use airport of the sponsor included in the national plan of integrated airport systems.
(2)Waiver.—A sponsor of an airport may make an agreement with the Secretary of Transportation waiving the sponsor’s claim to any part of the amount apportioned for the airport under sections 47114(c) and 47114(d)(2)(A) if the Secretary agrees to make the waived amount available for a grant for another public-use airport in the same State or geographical area as the airport, as determined by the Secretary.
(d)State Use.—An amount apportioned to a State under—
(1) section 47114(d)(2)(B)(i) is available for grants for airports located in the State; and
(2) section 47114(d)(2)(B)(ii) or (iii) is available for grants for airports described in section 47114(d)(2)(B)(ii) or (iii) and located in the State.
(e)Special Apportionment Categories.—
(1) The Secretary shall use amounts available to the discretionary fund under section 47115 of this title for each fiscal year as follows:
(A) At least 35 percent, but not more than $200,000,000, for grants for airport noise compatibility planning under section 47505(a)(2), for carrying out noise compatibility programs under section 47504(c), for noise mitigation projects approved in an environmental record of decision for an airport development project under this title, for airport development described in subparagraphs (O), (P), (Q), and (W) of section 47102(3), for airport development described in section 47102(3)(F), 47102(3)(K), or 47102(3)(L), and for water quality mitigation projects to comply with the Act of June 30, 1948 (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), approved in an environmental record of decision for an airport development project under this title. The Secretary may count the amount of grants made for such planning and programs with funds apportioned under section 47114 in that fiscal year in determining whether or not the requirements of the preceding sentence are being met in that fiscal year. The Secretary shall provide not less than two-thirds of amounts under this subparagraph and paragraph (3) for grants to sponsors of small hub, medium hub, and large hub airports.
(B) At least 4 percent to sponsors of current or former military airports designated by the Secretary under section 47118(a) of this title for grants for developing current and former military airports to improve the capacity of the national air transportation system and to sponsors of noncommercial service airports for grants for operational and maintenance expenses at any such airport if the amount of such grants to the sponsor of the airport does not exceed $30,000 in that fiscal year, if the Secretary determines that the airport is adversely affected by the closure or realignment of a military base, and if the sponsor of the airport certifies that the airport would otherwise close if the airport does not receive the grant.
(2) If the Secretary decides that an amount required to be used for grants under paragraph (1) of this subsection cannot be used for a fiscal year because there are insufficient qualified grant applications, the amount the Secretary determines cannot be used is available during the fiscal year for grants for other airports or for other purposes for which amounts are authorized for grants under section 48103 of this title.
(3)Special rule.—Beginning in fiscal year 2026, if the amount made available under paragraph (1)(A) was not equal to or greater than $150,000,000 in the preceding fiscal year, the Secretary shall issue grants for projects eligible under paragraph (1)(A) from apportionment funds made available under section 47114 that are not required during the fiscal year pursuant to subsection (b)(1) in an amount that is not less than—
(A) $150,000,000; minus
(B) the amount made available under paragraph (1)(A) in the preceding fiscal year.
(f)Discretionary Use of Apportionments.—
(1)In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), if the Secretary finds that all or part of an amount of an apportionment under section 47114 is not required during a fiscal year to fund a grant for which the apportionment may be used, the Secretary may use during such fiscal year the amount not so required to make grants for any purpose for which grants may be made under section 48103. The finding may be based on the notifications that the Secretary receives under section 47105(f) or on other information received from airport sponsors.
(2)Restoration of apportionments.—
(A)In general.—If the fiscal year for which a finding is made under paragraph (1) with respect to an apportionment is not the last fiscal year of availability of the apportionment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall restore to the apportionment an amount equal to the amount of the apportionment used under paragraph (1) for a discretionary grant whenever a sufficient amount is made available under section 48103.
(B)Period of availability.—If restoration under this paragraph is made in the fiscal year for which the finding is made or the succeeding fiscal year, the amount restored shall be subject to the original period of availability of the apportionment under subsection (b). If the restoration is made thereafter, the amount restored shall remain available in accordance with subsection (b) for the original period of availability of the apportionment plus the number of fiscal years during which a sufficient amount was not available for the restoration.
(3)Newly available amounts.—
(A)Restored amounts to be unavailable for discretionary grants.—Of an amount newly available under section 48103 of this title, an amount equal to the amounts restored under paragraph (2) shall not be available for discretionary grant obligations under section 47115.
(B)Use of remaining amounts.—Subparagraph (A) does not impair the Secretary’s authority under paragraph (1), after a restoration under paragraph (2), to apply all or part of a restored amount that is not required to fund a grant under an apportionment to fund discretionary grants.
(4)Limitations on obligations apply.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the Secretary to incur grant obligations under section 47104 for a fiscal year in an amount greater than the amount made available under section 48103 for such obligations for such fiscal year.
(g)Limiting Authority of Secretary.—The authority of the Secretary to make grants during a fiscal year from amounts that were apportioned for a prior fiscal year and remain available for approved airport development project grants under subsection (b) of this section may be impaired only by a law enacted after September 3, 1982, that expressly limits that authority.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1271; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 116(a), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1579; Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(68), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4387; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, §§ 123, 124(d), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3219, 3220; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(82), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3397; Pub. L. 105–102, § 3(c)(1), (2), Nov. 20, 1997, 111 Stat. 2215; Pub. L. 106–6, § 7, Mar. 31, 1999, 113 Stat. 10; Pub. L. 106–31, title VI, § 6002(d), May 21, 1999, 113 Stat. 113; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, §§ 104(e)–(g), 129, title II, § 231(f), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 70, 77, 114; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, §§ 149(c), 150, 151, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2505, 2506; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 145, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 30; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, §§ 155, 192(b), title V, § 539(p), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3217, 3241, 3371; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 717, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1259.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47117

§ 47118. Designating current and former military airports
(a)General Requirements.—The Secretary of Transportation shall designate current or former military airports for which grants may be made under section 47117(e)(1)(B) of this title. The maximum number of airports bearing such designation at any time is 15. The Secretary may only so designate an airport (other than an airport so designated before August 24, 1994) if—
(1) the airport is a former military installation closed or realigned under—
(A)section 2687 of title 10;
(B) section 201 of the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act (10 U.S.C. 2687 note); or
(C) section 2905 of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note);
(2) the airport is a military installation with both military and civil aircraft operations; or
(3) the airport is—
(A) a former military installation that, at any time after December 31, 1965, was owned and operated by the Department of Defense; and
(B) a nonhub primary airport.
(b)Survey.—Not later than September 30, 1991, the Secretary shall complete a survey of current and former military airports to identify which airports have the greatest potential to improve the capacity of the national air transportation system. The survey shall identify the capital development needs of those airports to make them part of the system and which of those qualify for grants under section 47104 of this title.
(c)Considerations.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consider only current or former military airports for designation under this section if a grant under section 47117(e)(1)(B) would—
(1) reduce delays at an airport with more than 20,000 hours of annual delays in commercial passenger aircraft takeoffs and landings;
(2) enhance airport and air traffic control system capacity in a metropolitan area or reduce current and projected flight delays; or
(3) preserve or enhance minimum airfield infrastructure facilities at former military airports to support emergency diversionary operations for transoceanic flights in locations—
(A) within United States jurisdiction or control; and
(B) where there is a demonstrable lack of diversionary airports within the distance or flight-time required by regulations governing transoceanic flights.
(d)Grants.—Grants under section 47117(e)(1)(B) of this title may be made for an airport designated under subsection (a) of this section for the 5 fiscal years following the designation, and for subsequent periods, each not to exceed 5 fiscal years, if the Secretary determines that the airport satisfies the designation criteria under subsection (a) at the beginning of each such subsequent period.
(e)Terminal Building Facilities.—From amounts the Secretary distributes to an airport under section 47115, $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and $7,000,000 for each fiscal year thereafter, is available to the sponsor of a current or former military airport the Secretary designates under this section to construct, improve, or repair a terminal building facility, including terminal gates used for revenue passengers getting on or off aircraft. A gate constructed, improved, or repaired under this subsection—
(1) may not be leased for more than 10 years; and
(2) is not subject to majority in interest clauses.
(f)Parking Lots, Fuel Farms, Utilities, Hangars, and Air Cargo Terminals.—
(1)Construction.—From amounts the Secretary distributes to an airport under section 47115, $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and $7,000,000 for each fiscal year thereafter, is available to the sponsor of a current or former military airport the Secretary designates under this section to construct, improve, or repair airport surface parking lots, fuel farms, utilities, and hangars and air cargo terminals of an area that is 50,000 square feet or less.
(2)Reimbursement.—Upon approval of the Secretary, the sponsor of a current or former military airport the Secretary designates under this section may use an amount apportioned under section 47114, or made available under section 47115 or 47117(e)(1)(B), to the airport for reimbursement of costs incurred by the airport in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 for construction, improvement, or repair described in paragraph (1).
(g)Designation of General Aviation Airports.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 3 of the airports bearing designations under subsection (a) may be general aviation airports that were former military installations closed or realigned under a section referred to in subsection (a)(1).
(h)Safety-Critical Airports.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a grant under section 47117(e)(1)(B) may be made for a federally owned airport designated under subsection (a) if the grant is for a project that is—
(1) to preserve or enhance minimum airfield infrastructure facilities described in subsection (c)(3); and
(2) necessary to meet the minimum safety and emergency operational requirements established under part 139 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1273; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 116(b)–(d), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1579; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 124(a)–(c), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3219, 3220; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(83), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3397; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 130, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 78; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 153, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2507; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 146, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 30; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 137, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3210.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47118

§ 47119. Terminal development costs
(a)Terminal Development Projects.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary of Transportation may approve a project for terminal development (including multimodal terminal development) in a nonrevenue-producing public-use area of a commercial service airport—
(A) if the sponsor certifies that the airport, on the date the grant application is submitted to the Secretary, has—
(i) all the safety equipment required for certification of the airport under section 44706;
(ii) all the security equipment required by regulation; and
(iii) provided for access by passengers to the area of the airport for boarding or exiting aircraft that are not air carrier aircraft;
(B) if the cost is directly related to—
(i) moving passengers and baggage in air commerce within the airport, including vehicles for moving passengers between terminal facilities and between terminal facilities and aircraft; or
(ii) installing security cameras in the public area of the interior and exterior of the terminal; and
(C) under terms necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
(2)Project in revenue-producing areas and nonrevenue-producing parking lots.—In making a decision under paragraph (1), the Secretary may approve as allowable costs the expenses of terminal development in a revenue-producing area and construction, reconstruction, repair, and improvement in a nonrevenue-producing parking lot if—
(A) except as provided in section 47108(e)(3),1
1 See References in Text note below.
the airport does not have more than .05 percent of the total annual passenger boardings in the United States; and
(B) the sponsor certifies that any needed airport development project affecting safety, security, or capacity will not be deferred because of the Secretary’s approval.
(3)Lactation areas.—In addition to the projects described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may approve a project for terminal development for the construction or installation of a lactation area (as defined in section 47107(w)) at a commercial service airport.
(4)Universal changing stations.—In addition to the projects described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may approve a project for terminal development for the construction or installation of a universal changing station (as defined in section 47107(y)) at a commercial service airport.
(b)Repaying Borrowed Money.—
(1)Terminal development costs incurred after june 30, 1970, and before july 12, 1976.—An amount apportioned under section 47114 and made available to the sponsor of a commercial service airport at which terminal development was carried out after June 30, 1970, and before July 12, 1976, is available to repay immediately money borrowed and used to pay the costs for such terminal development if those costs would be allowable project costs under section 47110(d) if they had been incurred after September 3, 1982.
(2)Terminal development costs incurred between january 1, 1992, and october 31, 1992.—An amount apportioned under section 47114 and made available to the sponsor of a nonhub airport at which terminal development was carried out between January 1, 1992, and October 31, 1992, is available to repay immediately money borrowed and to pay the costs for such terminal development if those costs would be allowable project costs under section 47110(d).
(3)Terminal development costs at primary airports.—An amount apportioned under section 47114 or available under subsection (b)(3) to a primary airport—
(A) that was a nonhub airport in the most recent year used to calculate apportionments under section 47114;
(B) that is a designated airport under section 47118 in fiscal year 2003; and
(C) at which terminal development is carried out between January 2003 and August 2004,
is available to repay immediately money borrowed and used to pay the costs for such terminal development if those costs would be allowable project costs under subsection (a).
(4)Conditions for grant.—An amount is available for a grant under this subsection only if—
(A) the sponsor submits the certification required under subsection (a);
(B) the Secretary decides that using the amount to repay the borrowed money will not defer an airport development project outside the terminal area at that airport; and
(C) amounts available for airport development under this subchapter will not be used for additional terminal development projects at the airport for at least 1 year beginning on the date the grant is used to repay the borrowed money.
(5)Applicability of certain limitations.—A grant under this subsection shall be subject to the limitations in subsections (c)(1) and (c)(2).
(c)Availability of Amounts.—In a fiscal year, the Secretary may make available—
(1) to a sponsor of a primary airport, any part of amounts apportioned to the sponsor for the fiscal year under section 47114(c)(1) of this title to pay project costs allowable under subsection (a);
(2) on approval of the Secretary, not more than $200,000 of the amount that may be distributed for the fiscal year from the discretionary fund established under section 47115 of this title—
(A) to a sponsor of a nonprimary commercial service airport to pay project costs allowable under subsection (a); and
(B) to a sponsor of a reliever airport for the types of project costs allowable under subsection (a), including project costs allowable for a commercial service airport that each year does not have more than .05 percent of the total boardings in the United States;
(3) for use by a primary airport that each year does not have more than .05 percent of the total boardings in the United States, any part of amounts that may be distributed for the fiscal year from the discretionary fund and small airport fund to pay project costs allowable under subsection (a);
(4) not more than $25,000,000 to pay project costs allowable for the fiscal year under subsection (a) for projects at commercial service airports that were not eligible for assistance for terminal development during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980, under section 20(b) of the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970;
(5) to a sponsor of a nonprimary airport, any part of amounts apportioned to the sponsor for the fiscal year under sections 47114(c) and 47114(d)(2)(A) for project costs allowable under subsection (a); or
(6) not more than $20,000,000 of the amount that may be distributed for the fiscal year from the discretionary fund established under section 47115, to the sponsor of a nonprimary airport to pay costs allowable under subsection (a) for terminal development projects, if the Secretary determines (which may be based on actual and projected enplanement trends, as well as completion of an air service development study, demonstrated commitment by airlines to provide commercial service accommodating at least 10,000 annual enplanements, the documented commitment of a sponsor to providing the remaining funding to complete the proposed project, and a favorable environmental finding (including all required permits) in support of the proposed project) that the status of the nonprimary airport is reasonably expected to change to primary status based on enplanements for the third calendar year after the issuance of the discretionary grant.
(d)Nonhub Airports.—With respect to a project at a commercial service airport which annually has less than 0.05 percent of the total enplanements in the United States, the Secretary may approve the use of the amounts described in subsection (a) notwithstanding the requirements of sections 47107(a)(17), 47112, and 47113.
(e)Determination of Passenger Boarding at Commercial Service Airports.—For the purpose of determining whether an amount may be distributed for a fiscal year from the discretionary fund in accordance with subsection (b)(2)(A) to a commercial service airport, the Secretary shall make the determination of whether or not a public airport is a commercial service airport on the basis of the number of passenger boardings and type of air service at the public airport in the calendar year that includes the first day of such fiscal year or the preceding calendar year, whichever is more beneficial to the airport.
(f) Limitation on Discretionary Funds.—The Secretary may distribute not more than $30,000,000 from the discretionary fund established under section 47115 for terminal development projects at a nonhub airport or a small hub airport that is eligible to receive discretionary funds under section 47108(e)(3).1
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1274; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 117, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1579; Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(69), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4387; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 152(b), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 87; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, §§ 149(d), 166, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2505, 2514; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 152(b), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 33; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, §§ 132(b), 138, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3206, 3210; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, §§ 718, 774(b), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1260, 1298.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47119

§ 47120. Grant priority
(a)In General.—In making a grant under this subchapter, the Secretary of Transportation may give priority to a project that is consistent with an integrated airport system plan.
(b)Discretionary Funding To Be Used for Higher Priority Projects.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall discourage airport sponsors and airports from using entitlement funds for lower priority projects by giving lower priority to discretionary projects submitted by airport sponsors and airports that have used entitlement funds for projects that have a lower priority than the projects for which discretionary funds are being requested.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1274; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 162, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 91.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47120

§ 47121. Records and audits
(a)Records.—A sponsor shall keep the records the Secretary of Transportation requires. The Secretary may require records—
(1) that disclose—
(A) the amount and disposition by the sponsor of the proceeds of the grant;
(B) the total cost of the plan or program for which the grant is given or used; and
(C) the amounts and kinds of costs of the plan or program provided by other sources; and
(2) that make it easier to carry out an audit.
(b)Audits and Examinations.—The Secretary and the Comptroller General may audit and examine records of a sponsor that are related to a grant made under this subchapter.
(c)Authority of Comptroller General.—When an independent audit is made of the accounts of a sponsor under this subchapter related to the disposition of the proceeds of the grant or related to the plan or program for which the grant was given or used, the sponsor shall submit a certified copy of the audit to the Secretary not more than 6 months after the end of the fiscal year for which the audit was made. The Comptroller General may report to Congress describing the results of each audit conducted or reviewed by the Comptroller General under this section during the prior fiscal year.
(d)Audit Requirement.—The Secretary may require a sponsor to conduct an appropriate audit as a condition for receiving a grant under this subchapter.
(e)Annual Review.—The Secretary shall review annually the recordkeeping and reporting requirements under this subchapter to ensure that they are the minimum necessary to carry out this subchapter.
(f)Withholding Information From Congress.—This section does not authorize the Secretary or the Comptroller General to withhold information from a committee of Congress authorized to have the information.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1274; Pub. L. 104–316, title I, § 127(f), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3840.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47121

§ 47122. Administrative
(a)General.—The Secretary of Transportation may take action the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this subchapter, including conducting investigations and public hearings, prescribing regulations and procedures, and issuing orders.
(b)Conducting Investigations and Public Hearings.—In conducting an investigation or public hearing under this subchapter, the Secretary has the same authority the Secretary has under section 46104 of this title. An action of the Secretary in exercising that authority is governed by the procedures specified in section 46104 and shall be enforced as provided in section 46104.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1275.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47122

§ 47123. Nondiscrimination
(a)In General.—The Secretary of Transportation shall take affirmative action to ensure that an individual is not excluded because of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex from participating in an activity carried out with money received under a grant under this subchapter. The Secretary shall prescribe regulations necessary to carry out this section. The regulations shall be similar to those in effect under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.). This section is in addition to title VI of the Act.
(b)Indian Employment.—
(1)Tribal sponsor preference.—Consistent with section 703(i) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–2(i)), nothing in this section shall preclude the preferential employment of Indians living on or near a reservation on a project or contract at—
(A) an airport sponsored by an Indian tribal government; or
(B) an airport located on an Indian reservation.
(2)State preference.—A State may implement a preference for employment of Indians on a project carried out under this subchapter near an Indian reservation.
(3)Implementation.—The Secretary shall consult with Indian tribal governments and cooperate with the States to implement this subsection.
(4)Indian tribal government defined.—In this section, the term “Indian tribal government” has the same meaning given that term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1275; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 153, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3216.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47123

§ 47124. Agreements for State and local operation of airport facilities
(a)Government Relief From Liability.—The Secretary of Transportation shall ensure that an agreement under this subchapter with a qualified entity (as determined by the Secretary), State, or a political subdivision of a State to allow the entity, State, or subdivision to operate an airport facility relieves the United States Government from any liability arising out of, or related to, acts or omissions of employees of the entity, State, or subdivision in operating the airport facility.
(b)Air Traffic Control Contract Program.—
(1)Contract tower program.—
(A)Continuation.—The Secretary shall continue the low activity (Visual Flight Rules) level I air traffic control tower contract program established under subsection (a) of this section for towers existing on December 30, 1987, and extend the program to other towers as practicable.
(B)Special rule.—If the Secretary determines that a tower already operating under the Contract Tower Program has a benefit-to-cost ratio of less than 1.0, the airport sponsor or State or local government having jurisdiction over the airport shall not be required to pay the portion of the costs that exceeds the benefit—
(i) for the 1-year period after such determination is made; or
(ii) if an appeal of such determination is requested, for the 1-year period described in subsection (d)(4)(D).
(C)Use of excess funds.—If the Secretary finds that all or part of an amount made available to carry out the program continued under this paragraph is not required during a fiscal year, the Secretary may use, during such fiscal year, the amount not so required to carry out the Cost-share Program.
(2)General authority.—
(A)In general.—The Secretary may make a contract with a qualified entity (as determined by the Secretary) or, on a sole source basis, with a State or a political subdivision of a State to allow the entity, State, or subdivision to operate an airport traffic control tower classified as a level I (Visual Flight Rules) tower if the Secretary decides that the entity, State, or subdivision has the capability to comply with the requirements of this paragraph. The contract shall require that the entity, State, or subdivision comply with applicable safety regulations in operating the facility and with applicable competition requirements in making a subcontract to perform work to carry out the contract.
(B)Small or medium hub airports.—In the case of a contract entered into on or after the date of enactment of this subparagraph to operate an airport traffic control tower at a small or medium hub airport, the contract shall require the Secretary, after coordination with the airport sponsor and the entity, State, or subdivision, and not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, to provide funding sufficient for the cost of wages and benefits of at least 2 air traffic controllers for each tower operating shift.
(3)Cost-share program.—
(A)In general.—The Secretary shall establish a program to contract for air traffic control services at nonapproach control towers, as defined by the Secretary, that do not qualify for the Contract Tower Program.
(B)Program components.—In carrying out the Cost-share Program, the Secretary shall—
(i) utilize for purposes of cost-benefit analyses, current, actual, site-specific data, forecast estimates, or airport master plan data provided by a facility owner or operator and verified by the Secretary; and
(ii) approve for participation only facilities willing to fund a pro rata share of the operating costs of the air traffic control tower to achieve a 1-to-1 benefit-to-cost ratio using actual site-specific contract tower operating costs in any case in which there is an operating air traffic control tower or a remote air traffic control tower equipment that has received System Design Approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, as required for eligibility under the Contract Tower Program.
(C)Priority.—In selecting facilities to participate in the Cost-share Program, the Secretary shall give priority to the following facilities:
(i) Air traffic control towers that are participating in the Contract Tower Program but have been notified that they will be terminated from such program because the Secretary has determined that the benefit-to-cost ratio for their continuation in such program is less than 1.0.
(ii) Air traffic control towers that the Secretary determines have a benefit-to-cost ratio of at least .50.
(iii) Air traffic control towers of the Federal Aviation Administration that are closed as a result of the air traffic controllers strike in 1981.
(iv) Air traffic control towers located at airports or points at which an air carrier is receiving compensation under the essential air service program under this chapter.
(v) Air traffic control towers located at airports that are prepared to assume partial responsibility for maintenance costs.
(vi) Air traffic control towers located at airports with safety or operational problems related to topography, weather, runway configuration, or mix of aircraft.
(vii) Air traffic control towers located at an airport at which the community has been operating the tower at its own expense.
(viii) Air traffic control towers at airports with safety or operational problems related to the lack of an existing tower.
(ix) Air traffic control towers at airports with projected commercial and military increases in aircraft or flight operations.
(x) Air traffic control towers at airports with a variety of aircraft operations, including a variety of commercial and military flight operations.
(D)Costs exceeding benefits.—If the costs of operating an air traffic tower under the Cost-share Program exceed the benefits, the airport sponsor or State or local government having jurisdiction over the airport shall pay the portion of the costs that exceed such benefit, with the maximum allowable local cost share capped at 20 percent. Airports with air service provided under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and more than 25,000 passenger enplanements in calendar year 2014 shall be exempt from any cost-share requirement under this paragraph.
(E)Funding.—Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to section 106(k)(1), not more than $10,350,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2018 may be used to carry out this paragraph.
(F)Use of excess funds.—If the Secretary finds that all or part of an amount made available under this paragraph is not required during a fiscal year, the Secretary may use, during such fiscal year, the amount not so required to carry out the Contract Tower Program.
(G)Benefit-to-cost calculation.—Not later than 90 days after receiving an application to the Contract Tower Program, the Secretary shall calculate a benefit-to-cost ratio (as described in subsection (d)) for the applicable air traffic control tower for purposes of selecting towers for participation in the Contract Tower Program.
(H)Period for completion of an operational readiness inspection.—The Secretary shall provide airport sponsors acting in good faith 7 years to complete an operational readiness inspection after receiving a benefit-to-cost ratio of air traffic control services for an airport.
(4)Construction of air traffic control towers.—
(A)Grants.—The Secretary may provide grants to a sponsor of—
(i) a primary airport—(I) from amounts made available under sections 47114(c)(1) and 47114(c)(2) for the construction or improvement of a nonapproach control tower, as defined by the Secretary, and for the acquisition and installation of air traffic control, communications, and related equipment to be used in that tower;(II) from amounts made available under sections 47114(c)(1) and 47114(c)(2) for reimbursement for the cost of construction or improvement of a nonapproach control tower, as defined by the Secretary, incurred after October 1, 1996, if the sponsor complied with the requirements of sections 47107(e), 47112(b), and 47112(c) in constructing or improving that tower; and(III) from amounts made available under sections 47114(c)(1) and 47114(c)(2) for reimbursement for the cost of acquiring and installing in that tower air traffic control, communications, and related equipment that was acquired or installed after October 1, 1996, including remote air traffic control tower equipment certified by the Federal Aviation Administration or remote air traffic control tower equipment that has received System Design Approval from the Federal Aviation Administration; and
(ii) a public-use airport that is not a primary airport—(I) from amounts made available under subsections (c) and (d) of section 47114 for the construction or improvement of a nonapproach control tower, as defined by the Secretary, and for the acquisition and installation of air traffic control, communications, and related equipment to be used in that tower;(II) from amounts made available under sections 47114(c) and 47114(d)(2)(A) for reimbursement for the cost of construction or improvement of a nonapproach control tower, as defined by the Secretary, incurred after October 1, 1996, if the sponsor complied with the requirements of sections 47107(e), 47112(b), and 47112(c) in constructing or improving that tower; and(III) from amounts made available under sections 47114(c) and 47114(d)(2)(A) for reimbursement for the cost of acquiring and installing in that tower air traffic control, communications, and related equipment that was acquired or installed after October 1, 1996, including remote air traffic control tower equipment certified by the Federal Aviation Administration or remote air traffic control tower equipment that has received System Design Approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
(B)Eligibility.—An airport sponsor shall be eligible for a grant under this paragraph only if—
(i)(I) the sponsor is a participant in the Federal Aviation Administration Contract Tower Program or the Cost-share Program; or(II) construction of a nonapproach control tower would qualify the sponsor to be eligible to participate in such program;
(ii) the sponsor certifies that it will pay not less than 10 percent of the cost of the activities for which the sponsor is receiving assistance under this paragraph;
(iii) the Secretary affirmatively accepts the proposed contract tower into a contract tower program under this section and certifies that the Secretary will seek future appropriations to pay the Federal Aviation Administration’s cost of the contract to operate the tower to be constructed under this paragraph;
(iv) the sponsor certifies that it will pay its share of the cost of the contract to operate the tower to be constructed under this paragraph; and
(v) in the case of a tower to be constructed under this paragraph from amounts made available under section 47114(d)(2)(B), the Secretary certifies that—(I) the Federal Aviation Administration has consulted the State within the borders of which the tower is to be constructed and the State supports the construction of the tower as part of its State airport capital plan; and(II) the selection of the tower for funding is based on objective criteria.
(c)Safety Audits.—The Secretary shall establish uniform standards and requirements for regular safety assessments of air traffic control towers that receive funding under this section.
(d)Criteria To Evaluate Participants.—
(1)Timing of evaluations.—
(A)Towers participating in cost-share program.—In the case of an air traffic control tower that is operated under the Cost-share Program, the Secretary shall annually calculate a benefit-to-cost ratio with respect to the tower.
(B)Towers participating in contract tower program.—In the case of an air traffic control tower that is operated under the Contract Tower Program, the Secretary shall not calculate a benefit-to-cost ratio after the date of enactment of this subsection with respect to the tower unless the Secretary determines that the annual aircraft traffic at the airport where the tower is located has decreased—
(i) by more than 25 percent from the previous year; or
(ii) by more than 55 percent cumulatively in the preceding 3-year period.
(2)Costs to be considered.—In establishing a benefit-to-cost ratio under this section with respect to an air traffic control tower, the Secretary shall consider only the following costs:
(A) The Federal Aviation Administration’s actual cost of wages and benefits of personnel working at the tower.
(B) The Federal Aviation Administration’s actual telecommunications costs directly associated with the tower.
(C) The Federal Aviation Administration’s costs of purchasing and installing any air traffic control equipment that would not have been purchased or installed except as a result of the operation of the tower.
(D) The Federal Aviation Administration’s actual travel costs associated with maintaining air traffic control equipment that is owned by the Administration and would not be maintained except as a result of the operation of the tower.
(E) Other actual costs of the Federal Aviation Administration directly associated with the tower that would not be incurred except as a result of the operation of the tower (excluding costs for noncontract tower-related personnel and equipment, even if the personnel or equipment is located in the contract tower building).
(3)Other criteria to be considered.—In establishing a benefit-to-cost ratio under this section with respect to an air traffic control tower, the Secretary shall add a 10 percentage point margin of error to the benefit-to-cost ratio determination to acknowledge and account for the direct and indirect economic and other benefits that are not included in the criteria the Secretary used in calculating that ratio.
(4)Review of cost-benefit determinations.—In issuing a benefit-to-cost ratio determination under this section with respect to an air traffic control tower located at an airport, the Secretary shall implement the following procedures:
(A) The Secretary shall provide the airport (or the State or local government having jurisdiction over the airport) at least 90 days following the date of receipt of the determination to submit to the Secretary a request for an appeal of the determination, together with updated or additional data in support of the appeal.
(B) Upon receipt of a request for an appeal submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—
(i) transmit to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration any updated or additional data submitted in support of the appeal; and
(ii) provide the Administrator not more than 90 days to review the data and provide a response to the Secretary based on the review.
(C) After receiving a response from the Administrator pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall—
(i) provide the airport, State, or local government that requested the appeal at least 30 days to review the response; and
(ii) withhold from taking further action in connection with the appeal during that 30-day period.
(D) If, after completion of the appeal procedures with respect to the determination, the Secretary requires the tower to transition into the Cost-share Program, the Secretary shall not require a cost-share payment from the airport, State, or local government for 1 year following the last day of the 30-day period described in subparagraph (C).
(e)Definitions.—In this section:
(1)Contract tower program.—The term “Contract Tower Program” means the level I air traffic control tower contract program established under subsection (a) and continued under subsection (b)(1).
(2)Cost-share program.—The term “Cost-share Program” means the cost-share program established under subsection (b)(3).
(f)Improving Controller Situational Awareness.—
(1)In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall allow air traffic controllers at towers operated under the Contract Tower Program to use approved advanced equipment and technologies to improve operational situational awareness, including Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System radar displays, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, Flight Data Input/Output, and Automatic Terminal Information System.
(2)Installation and maintenance.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall allow airports to—
(A) procure a Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System or any equivalent system through the Federal Aviation Administration, and install and maintain such system using Administration services; or
(B) purchase a Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, or any equivalent system, and install and maintain such system using services directly from an original equipment manufacturer.
(3)Requirements.—To help facilitate the integration of the equipment and technology described in paragraph (1), the Secretary—
(A) shall establish minimum performance and technical standards that ensure the safe use of equipment and technology, including commercial radar displays capable of displaying primary and secondary radar targets, for use by controllers in contract towers to improve situational awareness;
(B) shall identify approved vendors for such equipment and technology, to the maximum extent practicable;
(C) shall establish, in consultation with contract tower operators, an appropriate training program to periodically train air traffic controllers employed by such operators to ensure proper and efficient integration and use of the situational awareness equipment and technology described in paragraph (1) into contract tower operations;
(D) may add Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System equipment or any equivalent system to the minimum level of equipage necessary for Federal contract towers to perform the function of such towers, as applicable; and
(E) shall require that any technology, system, or equipment procured pursuant to this subsection be procured using non-Federal funds, except as made available under a grant issued pursuant to 47124(b)(4).1
1 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “section”.
(g)Liability Insurance.—
(1)In general.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with aviation industry experts, including air traffic control contractors and aviation insurance professionals, to determine adequate limits of liability for the Contract Tower Program.
(2)Interim steps.—Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this subsection and until the Secretary makes a determination on liability limits under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall require air traffic control contractors to have excess liability insurance (as determined by the Secretary) to ensure continuity of such coverage should a major accident occur.
(3)Briefing.—Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Commerce,2
2 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “Committee on”.
Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the findings, conclusions, and actions taken and planned to be taken to carry out this subsection.
(h)Milestones for Design Approval of Remote Towers.—
(1)In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall create a program and publish milestones to achieve system design and operational approval for a remote tower system.
(2)Requirements.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall—
(A) rely on support from the Office of Airports of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Air Traffic Organization of the Federal Aviation Administration, including the Air Traffic Services Service Unit and the Technical Operations Service Unit;
(B) consult with relevant stakeholders, as the Administrator determines appropriate;
(C) establish requirements for the system design and operational approval of remote towers, including—
(i) visual siting processes and requirements for electro-optical sensors;
(ii) datalink latency requirements;
(iii) visual presentation design requirements for monitors used to display sensor and camera feeds; and
(iv) any other wireless telecommunications infrastructure requirements to enable the operation of such towers;
(D) use a safety risk management panel process to address any safety issues with respect to a remote tower;
(E) if a remote tower is intended to be installed at a non-towered airport, assess the safety benefits of the remote tower against the lack of an existing tower;
(F) allow the use of surface surveillance technology, either standalone or integrated into the visual automation platform, as a situational awareness tool;
(G) establish protocols for contingency operations and procedures in the event of remote tower technology failures and malfunctions; and
(H) support active testing of a remote tower system that has achieved system design approval by the William J. Hughes Technical Center at an airport that has installed remote tower infrastructure to support such system.
(3)System design approval and evaluation process.—Not later than December 31, 2024, the Administrator shall expand the system design approval and evaluation process for a digital or remote tower system to not less than 3 airports at which a digital or remote tower will be installed or operated at airports not located at the William J. Hughes Technical Center and using the criteria under section 161 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 47104 note), to the extent the Administrator has willing technology providers and airports interested in the installation and operation of such towers.
(4)Preservation of existing design approvals.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to invalidate any system design approval activity carried out by the William J. Hughes Technical Center prior to the date of enactment of this subsection.
(5)Prioritization for remote tower certification.—In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall prioritize system design and operational approval for a remote tower system at—
(A) airports that do not have a permanent air traffic control tower at the time of application;
(B) airports that would provide small and rural community air service; or
(C) airports that have been newly accepted as of the date of enactment of this subsection into the Contract Tower Program.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1276; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 131, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 78; Pub. L. 108–7, div. I, title III, § 370(b)(1), (2), Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 425, 426; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 105, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2498; Pub. L. 112–55, div. C, title I, § 119, Nov. 18, 2011, 125 Stat. 649; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 147, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 30; Pub. L. 113–76, div. L, title I, § 118, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 581; Pub. L. 113–235, div. K, title I, § 118, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2704; Pub. L. 114–55, title I, § 102(c), Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 523; Pub. L. 114–141, title I, § 102(c), Mar. 30, 2016, 130 Stat. 323; Pub. L. 114–190, title I, § 1102(c), July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 115–63, title I, § 102(d), Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1169; Pub. L. 115–141, div. M, title I, § 102(c), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1046; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 133(a)–(c), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3206–3208; Pub. L. 118–63, title VI, §§ 620, 621(a), (c), 625(b), (c), title VII, § 712(c)(2), title XI, § 1101(v), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1234, 1235, 1237, 1242, 1256, 1414.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47124

§ 47124a. Accessibility of certain flight data
(a)Definitions.—In this section:
(1)Administration.—The term “Administration” means the Federal Aviation Administration.
(2)Administrator.—The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
(3)Applicable individual.—The term “applicable individual” means an individual who is the subject of an investigation initiated by the Administrator related to a covered flight record.
(4)Contract tower.—The term “contract tower” means an air traffic control tower providing air traffic control services pursuant to a contract with the Administration under section 47124.
(5)Covered flight record.—The term “covered flight record” means any air traffic data (as defined in section 2(b)(4)(B) of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights (49 U.S.C. 44703 note)), created, maintained, or controlled by any program of the Administration, including any program of the Administration carried out by employees or contractors of the Administration, such as contract towers, flight service stations, and controller training programs.
(b)Provision of Covered Flight Record to Administration.—
(1)Requests.—Whenever the Administration receives a written request for a covered flight record from an applicable individual and the covered flight record is not in the possession of the Administration, the Administrator shall request the covered flight record from the contract tower or other contractor of the Administration in possession of the covered flight record.
(2)Provision of records.—Any covered flight record created, maintained, or controlled by a contract tower or another contractor of the Administration that maintains covered flight records shall be provided to the Administration if the Administration requests the record pursuant to paragraph (1).
(3)Notice of proposed certificate action.—If the Administrator has issued, or subsequently issues, a Notice of Proposed Certificate Action relying on evidence contained in the covered flight record and the individual who is the subject of an investigation has requested the record, the Administrator shall promptly produce the record and extend the time the individual has to respond to the Notice of Proposed Certificate Action until the covered flight record is provided.
(c)Implementation.—
(1)In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Fairness for Pilots Act, the Administrator shall promulgate regulations or guidance to ensure compliance with this section.
(2)Compliance by contractors.—
(A)In general.—Compliance with this section by a contract tower or other contractor of the Administration that maintains covered flight records shall be included as a material term in any contract between the Administration and the contract tower or contractor entered into or renewed on or after the date of enactment of the Fairness for Pilots Act.
(B)Nonapplicability.—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any contract or agreement in effect on the date of enactment of the Fairness for Pilots Act unless the contract or agreement is renegotiated, renewed, or modified after that date.
(d)Protection of Certain Data.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may withhold information that would otherwise be required to be made available under section 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “this section”.
only if—
(1) the Administrator determines, based on information in the possession of the Administrator, that the Administrator may withhold the information in accordance with section 552a of title 5, United States Code; or
(2) the information is submitted pursuant to a voluntary safety reporting program covered by section 40123 of title 49, United States Code.
(Added Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title III, § 395(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3326.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47124a

§ 47125. Conveyances of United States Government land
(a)Conveyances to Public Agencies.—Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall request the head of the department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government owning or controlling land or airspace to convey a property interest in the land or airspace to the public agency sponsoring the project or owning or controlling the airport when necessary to carry out a project under this subchapter at a public airport, to operate a public airport, or for the future development of an airport under the national plan of integrated airport systems. The head of the department, agency, or instrumentality shall decide whether the requested conveyance is consistent with the needs of the department, agency, or instrumentality and shall notify the Secretary of that decision not later than 4 months after receiving the request. If the head of the department, agency, or instrumentality decides that the requested conveyance is consistent with its needs, the head of the department, agency, or instrumentality, with the approval of the Attorney General and without cost to the Government, shall make the conveyance. A conveyance may be made only on the condition that the property interest conveyed reverts to the Government, at the option of the Secretary, to the extent it is not developed for an airport purpose or used consistently with the conveyance. Before waiving a condition that property be used for an aeronautical purpose under the preceding sentence, the Secretary must provide notice to the public not less than 30 days before waiving such condition.
(b)Nonapplication.—Except as specifically provided by law, subsection (a) of this section does not apply to land or airspace owned or controlled by the Government within—
(1) a national park, national monument, national recreation area, or similar area under the administration of the National Park Service;
(2) a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System or similar area under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; or
(3) a national forest or Indian reservation.
(c)Waiving Restrictions.—
(1)In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may grant to an airport, city, or county a waiver of any of the terms, conditions, reservations, or restrictions contained in a deed under which the United States conveyed to the airport, city, or county an interest in real property for airport purposes pursuant to section 16 of the Federal Airport Act (60 Stat. 179), section 23 of the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 232), or this section.
(2)Conditions.—Any waiver granted by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be subject to the following conditions:
(A) The applicable airport, city, county, or other political subdivision shall agree that in conveying any interest in the real property which the United States conveyed to the airport, city, or county, the airport, city, or county will receive consideration for such interest that is equal to its current fair market value.
(B) Any consideration received by the airport, city, or county under subparagraph (A) shall be used exclusively for the development, improvement, operation, or maintenance of a public airport by the airport, city, or county.
(C) Such waiver—
(i) will not significantly impair the aeronautical purpose of an airport;
(ii) will not result in the permanent closure of an airport (unless the Secretary determines that the waiver will directly facilitate the construction of a replacement airport); or
(iii) is necessary to protect or advance the civil aviation interests of the United States.
(D) Any other conditions required by the Secretary.
(3)Annual reporting.—The Secretary shall include a list and description of each waiver granted pursuant to paragraph (1) in the plan required under section 47103.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1276; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 125(b), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 75; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 719(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1260.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47125

§ 47126. Criminal penalties for false statements
A person (including an officer, agent, or employee of the United States Government or a public agency) shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both, if the person, with intent to defraud the Government, knowingly makes—
(1) a false statement about the kind, quantity, quality, or cost of the material used or to be used, or the quantity, quality, or cost of work performed or to be performed, in connection with the submission of a plan, map, specification, contract, or estimate of project cost for a project included in a grant application submitted to the Secretary of Transportation for approval under this subchapter;
(2) a false statement or claim for work or material for a project included in a grant application approved by the Secretary under this subchapter; or
(3) a false statement in a report or certification required under this subchapter.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1277.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47126

§ 47127. Ground transportation demonstration projects
(a)General Authority.—To improve the airport and airway system of the United States consistent with regional airport system plans financed under section 13(b) of the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970, the Secretary of Transportation may carry out ground transportation demonstration projects to improve ground access to air carrier airport terminals. The Secretary may carry out a demonstration project independently or by grant or contract, including an agreement with another department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government.
(b)Priority.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall give priority to a demonstration project that—
(1) affects an airport in an area with an operating regional rapid transit system with existing facilities reasonably near the airport;
(2) includes connection of the airport terminal to that system;
(3) is consistent with and supports a regional airport system plan adopted by the planning agency for the region and submitted to the Secretary; and
(4) improves access to air transportation for individuals residing or working in the region by encouraging the optimal balance of use of airports in the region.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1277.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47127

§ 47128. State block grant program
(a)General Requirements.—The Secretary of Transportation shall issue guidance to carry out a State block grant program. The guidance shall provide that the Secretary may designate not more than 20 qualified States for each fiscal year to assume administrative responsibility for all airport grant amounts available under this subchapter, except for amounts designated for use at primary airports.
(b)Applications and Selection.—A State wishing to participate in the program must submit an application to the Secretary. The Secretary shall select a State on the basis of its application only after—
(1) deciding the State has an organization capable of effectively administering a block grant made under this section;
(2) deciding the State uses a satisfactory airport system planning process;
(3) deciding the State uses a programming process acceptable to the Secretary;
(4) finding that the State has agreed to comply with United States Government standard requirements for administering the block grant, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), State and local environmental policy acts, Executive orders, agency regulations and guidance, and other Federal environmental requirements; and
(5) finding that the State has agreed to provide the Secretary with program information the Secretary requires.
(c)Safety and Security Needs and Needs of System.—Before deciding whether a planning process is satisfactory or a programming process is acceptable under subsection (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the process provides for meeting critical safety and security needs and that the programming process ensures that the needs of the national airport system will be addressed in deciding which projects will receive money from the Government. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall permit a State to use the priority system of the State if such system is not inconsistent with the national priority system.
(d)Environmental Analysis and Coordination Requirements.—A Federal agency, other than the Federal Aviation Administration, that is responsible for issuing an approval, license, or permit to ensure compliance with a Federal environmental requirement applicable to a project or activity to be carried out by a State using amounts from a block grant made under this section shall—
(1) coordinate and consult with the State;
(2) use the environmental analysis prepared by the State for the project or activity if such analysis is adequate; and
(3) as necessary, consult with the State to describe the supplemental analysis the State must provide to meet applicable Federal requirements.
(e)Training for Participating States.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary shall provide to each State participating in the block grant program under this section training or updated training materials for the administrative responsibilities assumed by the State under such program at no cost to the State.
(2)Timing.—The training or updated training materials provided under paragraph (1) shall be provided at least once during each 2-year period and at any time there is a material change in the program.
(f)Roles and Responsibilities of Participating States.—
(1)Airports.—Unless a State participating in the block grant program under this section expressly agrees in a memorandum of agreement, the Secretary shall not require the State to manage functions and responsibilities for airport actions or projects that do not relate to such program.
(2)Program documentation.—
(A)In general.—Any grant agreement providing funds to be administered under such program shall be consistent with the most recently executed memorandum of agreement between the State and the Federal Aviation Administration.
(B)Parity.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall provide parity to participating States and shall only require the same type of information and level of detail for any program agreements and documentation that the Administrator would perform with respect to such action if the State did not participate in the program.
(3)Responsibilities.—Unless the State expressly agrees to retain responsibility, the Administrator shall retain responsibility for the following:
(A) Grant compliance investigations, determinations, and enforcement.
(B) Obstruction evaluation and airport airspace analysis, determinations, and enforcement off airport property.
(C) Non-rulemaking analysis, determinations, and enforcement for proposed improvements on airport properties not associated with this subchapter, or off airport property.
(D) Land use determinations, compatibility planning, and airport layout plan review and approval (consistent with section 47107(x)) for projects not funded by amounts available under this subchapter.
(E) Nonaeronautical and special event recommendations and approvals.
(F) Instrument approach procedure evaluations and determinations.
(G) Environmental review for projects not funded by amounts available under this subchapter.
(H) Review and approval of land leases, land releases, changes in on-airport land-use designation, and through-the-fence agreements.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1277; Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(70), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4387; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 147(a)–(c)(1), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3223; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(84), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3397; Pub. L. 105–102, § 3(d)(1)(E), Nov. 20, 1997, 111 Stat. 2215; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 138, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 85; Pub. L. 112–95, title V, § 502, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 103; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 139, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3210; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 720(a), (b), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1262.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47128

§ 47129. Resolution of disputes concerning airport fees
(a)Authority To Request Secretary’s Determination.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary of Transportation shall issue a determination as to whether a fee imposed upon one or more air carriers or foreign air carriers (as those terms are defined in section 40102) by the owner or operator of an airport is reasonable if—
(A) a written request for such determination is filed with the Secretary by such owner or operator; or
(B) a written complaint requesting such determination is filed with the Secretary by an affected air carrier or foreign air carrier within 60 days after such carrier receives written notice of the establishment or increase of such fee.
(2)Calculation of fee.—A fee subject to a determination of reasonableness under this section may be calculated pursuant to either a compensatory or residual fee methodology or any combination thereof.
(3)Secretary not to set fee.—In determining whether a fee is reasonable under this section, the Secretary may only determine whether the fee is reasonable or unreasonable and shall not set the level of the fee.
(4)Fees imposed by privately-owned airports.—In evaluating the reasonableness of a fee imposed by an airport receiving an exemption under section 47134 of this title, the Secretary shall consider whether the airport has complied with section 47134(c)(4).
(b)Procedural Regulations.—Not later than 90 days after August 23, 1994, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register final regulations, policy statements, or guidelines establishing—
(1) the procedures for acting upon any written request or complaint filed under subsection (a)(1); and
(2) the standards or guidelines that shall be used by the Secretary in determining under this section whether an airport fee is reasonable.
(c)Decisions By Secretary.—The final regulations, policy statements, or guidelines required in subsection (b) shall provide the following:
(1) Not more than 120 days after an air carrier or foreign air carrier files with the Secretary a written complaint relating to an airport fee, the Secretary shall issue a final order determining whether such fee is reasonable.
(2) Within 30 days after such complaint is filed with the Secretary, the Secretary shall dismiss the complaint if no significant dispute exists or shall assign the matter to an administrative law judge; and thereafter the matter shall be handled in accordance with part 302 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or as modified by the Secretary to ensure an orderly disposition of the matter within the 120-day period and any specifically applicable provisions of this section.
(3) The administrative law judge shall issue a recommended decision within 60 days after the complaint is assigned or within such shorter period as the Secretary may specify.
(4) If the Secretary, upon the expiration of 120 days after the filing of the complaint, has not issued a final order, the decision of the administrative law judge shall be deemed to be the final order of the Secretary.
(5) Any party to the dispute may seek review of a final order of the Secretary under this subsection in the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or the court of appeals in the circuit where the airport which gives rise to the written complaint is located.
(6) Any findings of fact in a final order of the Secretary under this subsection, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive if challenged in a court pursuant to this subsection. No objection to such a final order shall be considered by the court unless objection was urged before an administrative law judge or the Secretary at a proceeding under this subsection or, if not so urged, unless there were reasonable grounds for failure to do so.
(d)Payment Under Protest; Guarantee of Air Carrier and Foreign Air Carrier Access.—
(1)Payment under protest.—
(A)In general.—Any fee increase or newly established fee which is the subject of a complaint that is not dismissed by the Secretary shall be paid by the complainant air carrier or foreign air carrier to the airport under protest.
(B)Referral or credit.—Any amounts paid under this subsection by a complainant air carrier or foreign air carrier to the airport under protest shall be subject to refund or credit to the air carrier or foreign air carrier in accordance with directions in the final order of the Secretary within 30 days of such order.
(C)Assurance of timely repayment.—In order to assure the timely repayment, with interest, of amounts in dispute determined not to be reasonable by the Secretary, the airport shall obtain a letter of credit, or surety bond, or other suitable credit facility, equal to the amount in dispute that is due during the 120-day period established by this section, plus interest, unless the airport and the complainant air carrier or foreign air carrier agree otherwise.
(D)Deadline.—The letter of credit, or surety bond, or other suitable credit facility shall be provided to the Secretary within 20 days of the filing of the complaint and shall remain in effect for 30 days after the earlier of 120 days or the issuance of a timely final order by the Secretary determining whether such fee is reasonable.
(2)Guarantee of air carrier and foreign air carrier access.—Contingent upon an air carrier’s or foreign air carrier’s compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1) and pending the issuance of a final order by the Secretary determining the reasonableness of a fee that is the subject of a complaint filed under subsection (a)(1)(B), an owner or operator of an airport may not deny an air carrier or foreign air carrier currently providing air service at the airport reasonable access to airport facilities or service, or otherwise interfere with an air carrier’s or foreign air carrier’s prices, routes, or services, as a means of enforcing the fee.
(e)Applicability.—This section does not apply to—
(1) a fee imposed pursuant to a written agreement with air carriers or foreign air carriers using the facilities of an airport;
(2) a fee imposed pursuant to a financing agreement or covenant entered into prior to August 23, 1994; or
(3) any other existing fee not in dispute as of August 23, 1994.
(f)Effect On Existing Agreements.—Nothing in this section shall adversely affect—
(1) the rights of any party under any existing written agreement between an air carrier or foreign air carrier and the owner or operator of an airport; or
(2) the ability of an airport to meet its obligations under a financing agreement, or covenant, that is in force as of August 23, 1994.
(g)Definition.—In this section, the term “fee” means any rate, rental charge, landing fee, or other service charge for the use of airport facilities.
(Added Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 113(a)(2), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1577; amended Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 149(d), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3227; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(85), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3397; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 148(a), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 31.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47129

§ 47130. Airport safety data collection

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may award a contract, using sole source or limited source authority, or enter into a cooperative agreement with, or provide a grant from amounts made available under section 48103 to, a private company or entity for the collection of airport safety data. In the event that a grant is provided under this section, the United States Government’s share of the cost of the data collection shall be 100 percent.

(Added Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 118(a), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1580; amended Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 154, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2507.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47130

[§ 47131. Repealed. Pub. L. 118–63, title II, § 218(d), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1055]

CITE AS: 49 USC 47131

[§ 47132. Repealed. Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 123(a)(1), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 74]

CITE AS: 49 USC 47132

§ 47133. Restriction on use of revenues
(a)Prohibition.—Local taxes on aviation fuel (except taxes in effect on December 30, 1987) or the revenues generated by an airport that is the subject of Federal assistance may not be expended for any purpose other than the capital or operating costs of—
(1) the airport;
(2) the local airport system; or
(3) any other local facility that is owned or operated by the person or entity that owns or operates the airport that is directly and substantially related to the air transportation of passengers or property.
(b)Exceptions.—
(1)Prior laws and agreements.—Subsection (a) shall not apply if a provision enacted not later than September 2, 1982, in a law controlling financing by the airport owner or operator, or a covenant or assurance in a debt obligation issued not later than September 2, 1982, by the owner or operator, provides that the revenues, including local taxes on aviation fuel at public airports, from any of the facilities of the owner or operator, including the airport, be used to support not only the airport but also the general debt obligations or other facilities of the owner or operator.
(2)Sale of private airport to public sponsor.—In the case of a privately owned airport, subsection (a) shall not apply to the proceeds from the sale of the airport to a public sponsor if—
(A) the sale is approved by the Secretary;
(B) funding is provided under this subchapter for any portion of the public sponsor’s acquisition of airport land; and
(C) an amount equal to the remaining unamortized portion of any airport improvement grant made to that airport for purposes other than land acquisition, amortized over a 20-year period, plus an amount equal to the Federal share of the current fair market value of any land acquired with an airport improvement grant made to that airport on or after October 1, 1996, is repaid to the Secretary by the private owner.
(3)Treatment of repayments.—Repayments referred to in paragraph (2)(C) shall be treated as a recovery of prior year obligations.
(c)Rule of Construction.—Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent the use of a State tax on aviation fuel to support a State aviation program or the use of airport revenue on or off the airport for a noise mitigation purpose.
(Added Pub. L. 104–264, title VIII, § 804(a), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3271; amended Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 149(a), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 32.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47133

§ 47134. Airport investment partnership program
(a)Submission of Applications.—If a sponsor intends to sell or lease a general aviation airport or lease any other type of airport for a long term to a person (other than a public agency), the sponsor and purchaser or lessee may apply to the Secretary of Transportation for exemptions under this section.
(b)Approval of Applications.—The Secretary may approve applications submitted under subsection (a) granting exemptions from the following provisions:
(1)Use of revenues.—
(A)In general.—The Secretary may grant an exemption to a sponsor from the provisions of sections 47107(b) and 47133 of this title (and any other law, regulation, or grant assurance) to the extent necessary to permit the sponsor to recover from the sale or lease of the airport such amount as may be approved—
(i) in the case of a primary airport, by at least 65 percent of the scheduled air carriers serving the airport and by scheduled and nonscheduled air carriers whose aircraft landing at the airport during the preceding calendar year, had a total landed weight during the preceding calendar year of at least 65 percent of the total landed weight of all aircraft landing at the airport during such year; or
(ii) in the case of a nonprimary airport, by the Secretary after the airport has consulted with at least 65 percent of the owners of aircraft based at that airport, as determined by the Secretary.
(B)Objection to exemption.—An air carrier shall be deemed to have approved a sponsor’s application for an exemption under subparagraph (A) unless the air carrier has submitted an objection, in writing, to the sponsor within 60 days of the filing of the sponsor’s application with the Secretary, or within 60 days of the service of the application upon that air carrier, whichever is later.
(C)Landed weight defined.—In this paragraph, the term “landed weight” means the weight of aircraft transporting passengers or cargo, or both, in intrastate, interstate, and foreign air transportation, as the Secretary determines under regulations the Secretary prescribes.
(2)Repayment requirements.—If the Secretary grants an exemption to a sponsor pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall grant an exemption to the sponsor from the provisions of sections 47107 and 47152 of this title (and any other law, regulation, or grant assurance) to the extent necessary to waive any obligation of the sponsor to repay to the Federal Government any grants, or to return to the Federal Government any property, received by the airport under this title, the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, or any other law.
(3)Compensation from airport operations.—If the Secretary grants an exemption to a sponsor pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall grant an exemption to the corresponding purchaser or lessee from the provisions of sections 47107(b) and 47133 of this title (and any other law, regulation, or grant assurance) to the extent necessary to permit the purchaser or lessee to earn compensation from the operations of the airport.
(4)Benefit-cost analysis.—
(A)In general.—Prior to approving an application submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary may require a benefit-cost analysis.
(B)Finding.—If a benefit-cost analysis is required, the Secretary shall issue a preliminary and conditional finding, which shall—
(i) be issued not later than 60 days after the date on which the sponsor submits all information required by the Secretary;
(ii) be based upon a collaborative review process that includes the sponsor or a representative of the sponsor;
(iii) not constitute the issuance of a Federal grant or obligation to issue a grant under this chapter or other provision of law; and
(iv) not constitute any other obligation on the part of the Federal Government until the conditions specified in the final benefit-cost analysis are met.
(c)Terms and Conditions.—The Secretary may approve an application under subsection (b) only if the Secretary finds that the sale or lease agreement includes provisions satisfactory to the Secretary to ensure the following:
(1) The airport will continue to be available for public use on reasonable terms and conditions and without unjust discrimination.
(2) The operation of the airport will not be interrupted in the event that the purchaser or lessee becomes insolvent or seeks or becomes subject to any State or Federal bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, or dissolution proceeding or any petition or similar law seeking the dissolution or reorganization of the purchaser or lessee or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, or liquidator for the purchaser or lessee or a substantial part of the purchaser or lessee’s property, assets, or business.
(3) The purchaser or lessee will maintain, improve, and modernize the facilities of the airport through capital investments and will submit to the Secretary a plan for carrying out such maintenance, improvements, and modernization.
(4) Every fee of the airport imposed on an air carrier on the day before the date of the lease of the airport will not increase faster than the rate of inflation unless a higher amount is approved—
(A) by at least 65 percent of the air carriers serving the airport; and
(B) by air carriers whose aircraft landing at the airport during the preceding calendar year had a total landed weight during the preceding calendar year of at least 65 percent of the total landed weight of all aircraft landing at the airport during such year.
(5) The percentage increase in fees imposed on general aviation aircraft at the airport will not exceed the percentage increase in fees imposed on air carriers at the airport.
(6) Safety and security at the airport will be maintained at the highest possible levels.
(7) The adverse effects of noise from operations at the airport will be mitigated to the same extent as at a public airport.
(8) Any adverse effects on the environment from airport operations will be mitigated to the same extent as at a public airport.
(9) Any collective bargaining agreement that covers employees of the airport and is in effect on the date of the sale or lease of the airport will not be abrogated by the sale or lease.
(d)Program Participation.—
(1)Multiple airports.—The Secretary may consider applications under this section submitted by a public airport sponsor for multiple airports under the control of the sponsor if all airports under the control of the sponsor are located in the same State.
(2)Partial privatization.—A purchaser or lessee may be an entity in which a sponsor has an interest.
(e)Required Finding That Approval Will Not Result in Unfair Methods of Competition.—The Secretary may approve an application under subsection (b) only if the Secretary finds that the approval will not result in unfair and deceptive practices or unfair methods of competition.
(f)Interests of General Aviation Users.—In approving an application of an airport under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the interests of general aviation users of the airport are not adversely affected.
(g)Passenger Facility Fees; Apportionments; Service Charges.—Notwithstanding that the sponsor of an airport receiving an exemption under subsection (b) is not a public agency, the sponsor shall not be prohibited from—
(1) imposing a passenger facility charge under section 40117 of this title;
(2) receiving apportionments under section 47114 of this title; or
(3) collecting reasonable rental charges, landing fees, and other service charges from aircraft operators under section 40116(e)(2) of this title.
(h)Effectiveness of Exemptions.—An exemption granted under subsection (b) shall continue in effect only so long as the facilities sold or leased continue to be used for airport purposes.
(i)Revocation of Exemptions.—The Secretary may revoke an exemption issued to a purchaser or lessee of an airport under subsection (b)(3) if, after providing the purchaser or lessee with notice and an opportunity to be heard, the Secretary determines that the purchaser or lessee has knowingly violated any of the terms specified in subsection (c) for the sale or lease of the airport.
(j)Nonapplication of Provisions to Airports Owned by Public Agencies.—The provisions of this section requiring the approval of air carriers in determinations concerning the use of revenues, and imposition of fees, at an airport shall not be extended so as to apply to any airport owned by a public agency that is not participating in the program established by this section.
(k)Audits.—The Secretary may conduct periodic audits of the financial records and operations of an airport receiving an exemption under this section.
(l)Predevelopment Limitation.—A grant to an airport sponsor under this subchapter for predevelopment planning costs relating to the preparation of an application or proposed application under this section may not exceed $750,000 per application or proposed application.
(Added Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 149(a)(1), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3224; amended Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 155(a), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2508; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, §§ 111(c)(2)(A)(iv), 156, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 18, 36; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 160(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3220; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 738, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1276.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47134

§ 47135. Innovative financing techniques
(a)Authority.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary of Transportation may approve an application by an airport sponsor to use grants received under this subchapter for innovative financing techniques related to an airport development project that is located at an airport that is not a large hub airport.
(2)Approval.—The Secretary may approve not more than 30 applications described under paragraph (1) in a fiscal year.
(b)Purposes.—The purpose of grants made under this section shall be to—
(1) provide information on the benefits and difficulties of using innovative financing techniques for airport development projects;
(2) lower the total cost of an airport development project; or
(3) expedite the delivery or completion of an airport development project without reducing safety or causing environmental harm.
(c)Limitations.—
(1)No guarantees.—In no case shall the implementation of an innovative financing technique under this section be used in a manner giving rise to a direct or indirect guarantee of any airport debt instrument by the United States Government.
(2)Types of techniques.—In this section, innovative financing techniques are limited to—
(A) payment of interest;
(B) commercial bond insurance and other credit enhancement associated with airport bonds for eligible airport development;
(C) flexible non-Federal matching requirements;
(D) use of funds apportioned under section 47114 for the payment of principal and interest of terminal development for costs incurred before the date of the enactment of this section; and
(E) any other techniques that the Secretary determines are consistent with the purposes of this section.
(Added Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 132(a), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 80; amended Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 156, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2508; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 721, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1264.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47135

§ 47136. Zero-emission airport vehicles and infrastructure
(a)In General.—The Secretary of Transportation may establish a pilot program under which the sponsors of public-use airports may use funds made available under this chapter or section 48103 for use at such airports to carry out—
(1) activities associated with the acquisition, by purchase or lease, and operation of eligible zero-emission vehicles and equipment, including removable power sources for such vehicles; and
(2) the construction or modification of infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of fuel, power or services necessary for the use of such vehicles.
(b)Eligibility.—A public-use airport is eligible for participation in the program if the eligible vehicles or equipment are—
(1) used exclusively on airport property; or
(2) used exclusively to transport passengers and employees between the airport and—
(A) nearby facilities which are owned or controlled by the airport or which otherwise directly support the functions or services provided by the airport; or
(B) an intermodal surface transportation facility adjacent to the airport.
(c)Selection Criteria.—In selecting from among applicants for participation in the program, the Secretary shall give priority consideration to applicants that—
(1) will achieve the greatest air quality benefits measured by the amount of emissions reduced per dollar of funds expended under the program; and
(2) provide a long-term management plan for eligible vehicles and equipment that includes the existing and future infrastructure requirements of the airport related to such vehicles and equipment.
(d)Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under the program shall be the Federal share specified in section 47109.
(e)Technical Assistance.—
(1)In general.—The sponsor of a public-use airport may use not more than 10 percent of the amounts made available to the sponsor under the program in any fiscal year for—
(A) technical assistance; and
(B) project management support to assist the airport with the solicitation, acquisition, and deployment of zero-emission vehicles, related equipment, and supporting infrastructure.
(2)Providers of technical assistance.—To receive the technical assistance or project management support described in paragraph (1), participants in the program may use—
(A) a nonprofit organization selected by the Secretary; or
(B) a university transportation center receiving grants under section 5505 in the region of the airport.
(f)Materials Identifying Best Practices.—The Secretary may create and make available materials identifying best practices for carrying out activities funded under the program based on previous related projects and other sources.
(g)Allowable Project Cost.—The allowable project cost for the acquisition of a zero-emission vehicle shall be the total cost of purchasing or leasing the vehicle, including the cost of technical assistance or project management support described in subsection (e).
(h)Flexible Procurement.—A sponsor of a public-use airport may use funds made available under the program to acquire, by purchase or lease, a zero-emission vehicle and a removable power source in separate transactions, including transactions by which the airport purchases the vehicle and leases the removable power source.
(i)Testing Required.—
(1)In general.—A sponsor of a public-use airport may not use funds made available under the program to acquire a zero-emission vehicle unless that make, model, or type of vehicle has been tested by a Federal vehicle testing facility acceptable to the Secretary.
(2)Penalties for false statements.—A certification of compliance under paragraph (1) shall be considered a certification required under this subchapter for purposes of section 47126.
(j)Definitions.—In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)Eligible zero-emission vehicle and equipment.—The term “eligible zero-emission vehicle and equipment” means a zero-emission vehicle, equipment related to such a vehicle, or ground support equipment that includes zero-emission technology that is—
(A) used exclusively on airport property; or
(B) used exclusively to transport passengers and employees between the airport and—
(i) nearby facilities which are owned or controlled by the airport or which otherwise directly support the functions or services provided by the airport; or
(ii) an intermodal surface transportation facility adjacent to the airport.
(2)Removable power source.—The term “removable power source” means a power source that is separately installed in, and removable from, a zero-emission vehicle and may include a battery, a fuel cell, an ultra-capacitor, or other power source used in a zero-emission vehicle.
(3)Zero-emission vehicle.—The term “zero-emission vehicle” means—
(A) a zero-emission vehicle as defined in section 88.102–94 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; or
(B) a vehicle that produces zero exhaust emissions of any criteria pollutant (or precursor pollutant) under any possible operational modes and conditions.
(Added Pub. L. 112–95, title V, § 511(a), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 107, § 47136a; renumbered § 47136 and amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, §§ 166(b)(1), 192(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3226, 3239; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 722, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1265.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47136

[§ 47136a. Renumbered § 47136]

CITE AS: 49 USC 47136a

§ 47137. Airport security program
(a)General Authority.—To improve security at public airports in the United States, the Secretary of Transportation shall carry out not less than one project to test and evaluate innovative aviation security systems and related technology.
(b)Priority.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall give the highest priority to a request from an eligible sponsor for a grant to undertake a project that—
(1) evaluates and tests the benefits of innovative aviation security systems or related technology, including explosives detection systems, for the purpose of improving aviation and aircraft physical security, access control, and passenger and baggage screening; and
(2) provides testing and evaluation of airport security systems and technology in an operational, testbed environment.
(c)Matching Share.—Notwithstanding section 47109, the United States Government’s share of allowable project costs for a project under this section shall be 100 percent.
(d)Terms and Conditions.—The Secretary may establish such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines appropriate for carrying out a project under this section, including terms and conditions relating to the form and span of a proposal for a project, project assurances, and schedule of payments.
(e)Administration.—The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall administer the program authorized by this section.
(f)Eligible Sponsor Defined.—In this section, the term “eligible sponsor” means a nonprofit corporation composed of a consortium of public and private persons, including a sponsor of a primary airport, with the necessary engineering and technical expertise to successfully conduct the testing and evaluation of airport and aircraft related security systems.
(g)Authorization of Appropriations.—Of the amounts made available to the Secretary under section 47115 in a fiscal year, the Secretary shall make available not less than $5,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out this section.
(Added Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 134(a), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 83; amended Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 157, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2508.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47137

§ 47138. Pilot program for purchase of airport development rights
(a)In General.—The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a pilot program to support the purchase, by a State or political subdivision of a State, of development rights associated with, or directly affecting the use of, privately owned public use airports located in that State. Under the program, the Secretary may make a grant to a State or political subdivision of a State from funds apportioned under section 47114 for the purchase of such rights.
(b)Grant Requirements.—
(1)In general.—The Secretary may not make a grant under subsection (a) unless the grant is made—
(A) to enable the State or political subdivision to purchase development rights in order to ensure that the airport property will continue to be available for use as a public airport; and
(B) subject to a requirement that the State or political subdivision acquire an easement or other appropriate covenant requiring that the airport shall remain a public use airport in perpetuity.
(2)Matching requirement.—The amount of a grant under the program may not exceed 90 percent of the costs of acquiring the development rights.
(c)Grant Standards.—The Secretary shall prescribe standards for grants under subsection (a), including—
(1) grant application and approval procedures; and
(2) requirements for the span of the instrument recording the purchase of the development rights.
(d)Release of Purchased Rights and Covenant.—Any development rights purchased under the program shall remain the property of the State or political subdivision unless the Secretary approves the transfer or disposal of the development rights after making a determination that the transfer or disposal of that right is in the public interest.
(e)Limitation.—The Secretary may not make a grant under the pilot program for the purchase of development rights at more than 10 airports.
(Added

CITE AS: 49 USC 47138

§ 47139. Emission credits for air quality projects
(a)In General.—The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall issue guidance on how to ensure that airport sponsors may receive appropriate emission reduction credits for carrying out projects, including projects described in sections 40117(a)(3)(G), 47102(3)(K), and 47102(3)(L). Such guidance shall include, at a minimum, the following considerations:
(1) The provision of credits is consistent with the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7402 et seq.).
(2) Credits generated by the emissions reductions are kept by the airport sponsor, including for an airport outside of a nonattainment area or maintenance area, and may be used for purposes of any current or future general conformity determination under the Clean Air Act, as offsets under the Environmental Protection Agency’s new source review program for projects on the airport or associated with the airport, or as part of a State implementation plan.
(3) Credits are calculated and provided to airports on a consistent basis nationwide.
(4) Credits are provided to airport sponsors in a timely manner.
(5) The establishment of a method to assure the Secretary that, for any specific airport project for which funding is being requested, the appropriate credits will be granted.
(b)State Authority Under CAA.—Nothing in this section shall be construed as overriding existing State law or regulation pursuant to section 116 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7416).
(Added Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 158(a), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2508; amended Pub. L. 112–95, title I, §§ 111(c)(2)(A)(v), 152(d), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 18, 34; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 166(b)(2), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3226; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 782, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1302.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47139

§ 47140. Meeting current and future energy power demand
(a)In General.—The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall—
(1) encourage the sponsor of each public-use airport to—
(A) conduct airport planning that assesses the airport’s—
(i) current and future energy power requirements, including—(I) heating and cooling;(II) on-road airport vehicles and ground support equipment;(III) gate electrification;(IV) electric aircraft charging; and(V) vehicles and equipment used to transport passengers and employees between the airport and—(aa) nearby facilities owned or controlled by the airport or which otherwise directly support the functions or services provided by the airport; or(bb) an intermodal surface transportation facility adjacent to the airport; and
(ii) existing energy infrastructure condition, location, and capacity, including base load and backup power, to meet the current and future electrical power demand as identified in this subparagraph; and
(B) conduct airport development to improve energy efficiency, increase peak load savings at the airport, and meet future electrical power demands as identified in subparagraph (A); and
(2) reimburse the airport sponsor for the costs incurred in conducting the assessment under paragraph (1)(A).
(b)Grants.—The Secretary shall make grants to airport sponsors from amounts made available under section 48103 to assist such sponsors that have completed the assessment described in subsection (a)(1)—
(1) to acquire or construct equipment that will improve energy efficiency at the airport; and
(2) to pursue an airport development project described in subsection (a)(1)(B).
(c)Application.—To be eligible for a grant under paragraph (1),1
1 So in original. Probably should be “subsection (b)”.
the sponsor of a public-use airport shall submit an application, including a certification that no safety projects are being deferred by requesting a grant under this section, to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(Added Pub. L. 112–95, title V, § 512(a), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 109, § 47140a; renumbered § 47140 and amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, §§ 166(b)(1), 171, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3226, 3227; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 742(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1278.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47140

[§ 47140a. Renumbered § 47140]

CITE AS: 49 USC 47140a

§ 47141. Compatible land use planning and projects by State and local governments
(a)In General.—The Secretary of Transportation may make grants, from amounts set aside under section 47117(e)(1)(A), to States and units of local government for development and implementation of land use compatibility plans and implementation of land use compatibility projects resulting from those plans for the purposes of making the use of land areas around large hub airports and medium hub airports compatible with aircraft operations. The Secretary may make a grant under this section for a land use compatibility plan or a project resulting from such plan only if—
(1) the airport operator has not submitted a noise compatibility program to the Secretary under section 47504 or has not updated such program within the preceding 10 years; and
(2) the land use plan or project meets the requirements of this section.
(b)Eligibility.—In order to receive a grant under this section, a State or unit of local government must—
(1) have the authority to plan and adopt land use control measures, including zoning, in the planning area in and around a large or medium hub airport;
(2) enter into an agreement with the airport owner or operator that the development of the land use compatibility plan will be done cooperatively; and
(3) provide written assurance to the Secretary that it will achieve, to the maximum extent possible, compatible land uses consistent with Federal land use compatibility criteria under section 47502(3) and that those compatible land uses will be maintained.
(c)Assurances.—The Secretary shall require a State or unit of local government to which a grant may be made under this section for a land use plan or a project resulting from such plan to provide—
(1) assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the plan—
(A) is reasonably consistent with the goal of reducing existing noncompatible land uses and preventing the introduction of additional noncompatible land uses;
(B) addresses ways to achieve and maintain compatible land uses, including zoning, building codes, and any other land use compatibility measures under section 47504(a)(2) that are within the authority of the State or unit of local government to implement;
(C) uses noise contours provided by the airport operator that are consistent with the airport operation and planning, including any noise abatement measures adopted by the airport operator as part of its own noise mitigation efforts;
(D) does not duplicate, and is not inconsistent with, the airport operator’s noise compatibility measures for the same area; and
(E) has been approved jointly by the airport owner or operator and the State or unit of local government; and
(2) such other assurances as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
(d)Guidelines.—The Secretary shall establish guidelines to administer this section in accordance with the purposes and conditions described in this section. The Secretary may require a State or unit of local government to which a grant may be made under this section to provide progress reports and other information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
(e)Eligible Projects.—The Secretary may approve a grant under this section to a State or unit of local government for a project resulting from a land use compatibility plan only if the Secretary is satisfied that the project is consistent with the guidelines established by the Secretary under this section, the State or unit of local government has provided the assurances required by this section, the State or unit of local government has implemented (or has made provision to implement) those elements of the plan that are not eligible for Federal financial assistance, and that the project is not inconsistent with applicable Federal Aviation Administration standards.
(f)Sunset.—This section shall not be in effect after May 10, 2024.
(Added Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 160(a), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2511; amended Pub. L. 110–253, § 3(c)(2), June 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2417; Pub. L. 110–330, § 5(g), Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3718; Pub. L. 111–12, § 5(f), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1458; Pub. L. 111–69, § 5(g), Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2055; Pub. L. 111–116, § 5(f), Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3032; Pub. L. 111–153, § 5(f), Mar. 31, 2010, 124 Stat. 1085; Pub. L. 111–161, § 5(f), Apr. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1127; Pub. L. 111–197, § 5(f), July 2, 2010, 124 Stat. 1354; Pub. L. 111–216, title I, § 104(f), Aug. 1, 2010, 124 Stat. 2349; Pub. L. 111–249, § 5(g), Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628; Pub. L. 111–329, § 5(f), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3567; Pub. L. 112–7, § 5(f), Mar. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 32; Pub. L. 112–16, § 5(f), May 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 219; Pub. L. 112–21, § 5(f), June 29, 2011, 125 Stat. 234; Pub. L. 112–27, § 5(f), Aug. 5, 2011, 125 Stat. 271; Pub. L. 112–30, title II, § 205(g), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 358; Pub. L. 112–91, § 5(g), Jan. 31, 2012, 126 Stat. 4; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 153, Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 34; Pub. L. 114–55, title I, § 102(d), Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 523; Pub. L. 114–141, title I, § 102(d), Mar. 30, 2016, 130 Stat. 323; Pub. L. 114–190, title I, § 1102(d), July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 115–63, title I, § 102(e), Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1169; Pub. L. 115–141, div. M, title I, § 102(d), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1046; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 117(b), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3201; Pub. L. 118–15, div. B, title II, § 2202(h), Sept. 30, 2023, 137 Stat. 83; Pub. L. 118–34, title I, § 102(h), Dec. 26, 2023, 137 Stat. 1113; Pub. L. 118–41, title I, § 102(h), Mar. 8, 2024, 138 Stat. 21.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47141

§ 47142. Alternative project delivery
(a)In General.—The Secretary of Transportation may approve an application of an airport sponsor under this section to authorize the airport sponsor to award a covered project delivery contract using a selection process permitted under applicable State or local law if—
(1) the Administrator approves the application using criteria established by the Administrator;
(2) the covered project delivery contract is in a form that is approved by the Administrator;
(3) the Administrator is satisfied that the contract will be executed pursuant to competitive procedures and contains a schematic design adequate for the Administrator to approve the grant;
(4) use of a covered project delivery contract is projected to be cost effective and expedite the project;
(5) the Administrator is satisfied that there will be no conflict of interest; and
(6) the Administrator is satisfied that the selection process will be as open, fair, and objective as the competitive bid system and that at least 3 or more bids will be submitted for each project under the selection process.
(b)Reimbursement of Costs.—The Administrator may reimburse an airport sponsor for design and construction costs incurred before a grant is made pursuant to this section if the project is approved by the Administrator in advance and is carried out in accordance with all administrative and statutory requirements that would have been applicable under this chapter if the project were carried out after a grant agreement had been executed.
(c)Pilot Program.—
(1)Pilot program.—Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program under which the Administrator may award grants for integrated project delivery contracts, as described in subsection (d)(2), to carry out up to 5 building construction projects at airports in the United States with a grant awarded under section 47104.
(2)Application.—
(A)Eligibility.—A sponsor of an airport may submit to the Secretary an application, in such time and manner and containing such information as the Secretary may require, to carry out a building construction project under the pilot program that would otherwise be eligible for assistance under this chapter.
(B)Approval.—The Secretary may approve the application of a sponsor of an airport submitted under paragraph (1) to authorize such sponsor to award an integrated project delivery contract using a selection process permitted under applicable State or local law if—
(i) the Secretary approves the application using criteria established by the Secretary;
(ii) the integrated project delivery contract is in a form that is approved by the Secretary;
(iii) the Secretary is satisfied that the contract will be executed pursuant to competitive procedures and contains a schematic design and any other material that the Secretary determines sufficient to approve the grant;
(iv) the Secretary is satisfied that the use of an integrated project delivery contract will be cost effective and expedite the project;
(v) the Secretary is satisfied that there will be no conflict of interest; and
(vi) the Secretary is satisfied that the contract selection process will be open, fair, and objective and that not less than 2 sets of proposals will be submitted for each team entity under the selection process.
(3)Reimbursement of costs.—
(A)In general.—The Secretary may reimburse a sponsor of an airport for any design or construction costs incurred before a grant is made pursuant to this section if—
(i) the project funding is approved by the Secretary in advance;
(ii) the project is carried out in accordance with all administrative and statutory requirements under this chapter; and
(iii) the project is carried out under this chapter after a grant agreement has been executed.
(B)Accounting.—Reimbursement of costs shall be based on transparent cost accounting or open book cost accounting.
(d)Covered Project Delivery Contract Defined.—In this section, the term “covered project delivery contract” means—
(1) an agreement that provides for both design and construction of a project by a contractor through alternative project delivery methods, including construction manager-at-risk and progressive design build; or
(2) a single contract for the delivery of a whole project that—
(A) includes, at a minimum, the sponsor, builder, and architect-engineer as parties that are subject to the terms of the contract;
(B) aligns the interests of all the parties to the contract with respect to the project costs and project outcomes; and
(C) includes processes to ensure transparency and collaboration among all parties to the contract relating to project costs and project outcomes.
(Added Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 181(a), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2515; amended Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 723(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1265.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47142

§ 47143. Non-movement area surveillance surface display systems pilot program
(a)In General.—The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may carry out a pilot program to support non-Federal acquisition and installation of qualifying non-movement area surveillance surface display systems and sensors if—
(1) the Administrator determines that such systems and sensors would improve safety or capacity in the National Airspace System; and
(2) the non-movement area surveillance surface display systems and sensors supplement existing movement area systems and sensors at the selected airports established under other programs administered by the Administrator.
(b)Project Grants.—
(1)In general.—For purposes of carrying out the pilot program, the Administrator may make a project grant out of funds apportioned under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of section 47114(c) to not more than 5 eligible sponsors to acquire and install qualifying non-movement area surveillance surface display systems and sensors. The airports selected to participate in the pilot program shall have existing Administration movement area systems and airlines that are participants in Federal Aviation Administration’s airport collaborative decision-making process.
(2)Data exchange processes.—As part of the pilot program carried out under this section, the Administrator may establish data exchange processes to allow airport participation in the Administration’s airport collaborative decision-making process and fusion of the non-movement surveillance data with the Administration’s movement area systems.
(c)Sunset.—This section shall cease to be effective on October 1, 2028.
(d)Definitions.—In this section:
(1)Non-movement area.—The term “non-movement area” means the portion of the airfield surface that is not under the control of air traffic control.
(2)Non-movement area surveillance surface display systems and sensors.—The term “non-movement area surveillance surface display systems and sensors” means a non-Federal surveillance system that uses on-airport sensors that track vehicles or aircraft that are equipped with transponders in the non-movement area.
(3)Qualifying non-movement area surveillance surface display system and sensors.—The term “qualifying non-movement area surveillance surface display system and sensors” means a non-movement area surveillance surface display system that—
(A) provides the required transmit and receive data formats consistent with the National Airspace System architecture at the appropriate service delivery point;
(B) is on-airport; and
(C) is airport operated.
(Added Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 140(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3210; amended Pub. L. 118–15, div. B, title II, § 2202(i), Sept. 30, 2023, 137 Stat. 83; Pub. L. 118–34, title I, § 102(i), Dec. 26, 2023, 137 Stat. 1113; Pub. L. 118–41, title I, § 102(i), Mar. 8, 2024, 138 Stat. 21; Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 724, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1267.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47143

§ 47144. Use of funds for repairs for runway safety repairs
(a)In General.—The Secretary of Transportation may make project grants under this subchapter to an airport described in subsection (b) from funds under section 47114 apportioned to that airport or funds available for discretionary grants to that airport under section 47115 to conduct airport development to repair the runway safety area of the airport damaged as a result of a natural disaster in order to maintain compliance with the regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration relating to runway safety areas, without regard to whether construction of the runway safety area damaged was carried out using amounts the airport received under this subchapter.
(b)Airports Described.—An airport is described in this subsection if—
(1) the airport is a public-use airport;
(2) the airport is listed in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems of the Federal Aviation Administration;
(3) the runway safety area of the airport was damaged as a result of a natural disaster;
(4) the airport was denied funding under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) with respect to the disaster;
(5) the operator of the airport has exhausted all legal remedies, including legal action against any parties (or insurers thereof) whose action or inaction may have contributed to the need for the repair of the runway safety area;
(6) there is still a demonstrated need for the runway safety area to accommodate current or imminent aeronautical demand; and
(7) the cost of repairing or replacing the runway safety area is reasonable in relation to the anticipated operational benefit of repairing the runway safety area, as determined by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
(Added Pub. L. 115–31, div. K, title I, § 119F(a), May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 734; amended Pub. L. 118–63, title XI, § 1101(w), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1414.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47144

§ 47145. Pilot program for airport accessibility
(a)In General.—The Secretary of Transportation shall establish and carry out a pilot program to award grants to sponsors to carry out capital projects to upgrade the accessibility of commercial service airports for individuals with disabilities by increasing the number of commercial service airports, airport terminals, or airport facilities that meet or exceed the standards and regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 note) 1.
(b)Use of Funds.—
(1)In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), a sponsor shall use a grant awarded under this section—
(A) for a project to repair, improve, or relocate the infrastructure of an airport, airport terminal, or airport facility to increase accessibility for individuals with disabilities, or as part of a plan to increase accessibility for individuals with disabilities;
(B) to develop or modify a plan (as described in subsection (e)) for a project that increases accessibility for individuals with disabilities, including—
(i) assessments of accessibility or assessments of planned modifications to an airport, airport terminal, or airport facility for passenger use, performed by the disability advisory committee of the recipient airport (if applicable), the protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the applicable State, a center for independent living, or a disability organization, including an advocacy or nonprofit organization that represents or provides services to individuals with disabilities; or
(ii) coordination by the disability advisory committee of the recipient airport with a protection and advocacy system, center for independent living, or such disability organization; or
(C) to carry out any other project that meets or exceeds the standards and regulations described in subsection (a).
(2)Limitation.—Eligible costs for a project funded with a grant awarded under this section shall be limited to the costs associated with carrying out the purpose authorized under subsection (a).
(c)Eligibility.—A sponsor may use a grant under this section to upgrade a commercial service airport that is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities—
(1) consistent with the current (as of the date of the upgrade) standards and regulations described in subsection (a); and
(2) even if the related service, program, or activity, when viewed in the entirely of the service, program, or activity, is readily accessible and usable as so described.
(d)Selection Criteria.—In making grants to sponsors under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to sponsors that are proposing—
(1) a capital project to upgrade the accessibility of a commercial service airport that is not accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities consistent with standards and regulations described in subsection (a); or
(2) to meet or exceed the Airports Council International accreditation under the Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation, through the incorporation of universal design principles.
(e)Accessibility Commitment.—A sponsor that receives a grant under this section shall adopt a plan under which the sponsor commits to pursuing airport accessibility projects that—
(1) enhance the passenger experience and maximize accessibility of commercial service airports, airport terminals, or airport facilities for individuals with disabilities, including by—
(A) upgrading bathrooms, counters, or pumping rooms;
(B) increasing audio and visual accessibility on information boards, security gates, or paging systems;
(C) updating airport terminals to increase the availability of accessible seating and power outlets for durable medical equipment (such as powered wheelchairs);
(D) updating airport websites and other information communication technology to be accessible for individuals with disabilities; or
(E) increasing the number of elevators, including elevators that move power wheelchairs to an aircraft;
(2) improve the operations of, provide efficiencies of service to, and enhance the use of commercial service airports for individuals with disabilities;
(3) establish a disability advisory committee if the airport is a small, medium, or large hub airport; and
(4) make improvements in personnel, infrastructure, and technology that can assist passenger self-identification regarding disability and needing assistance.
(f)Coordination With Disability Advocacy Entities.—In administering grants under this section, the Secretary shall encourage—
(1) engagement with disability advocacy entities (such as the disability advisory committee of the sponsor) and a protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the applicable State, a center for independent living, or a disability organization, including an advocacy or nonprofit organization that represents or provides services to individuals with disabilities; and
(2) assessments of accessibility or assessments of planned modifications to commercial service airports to the extent merited by the scope of the capital project of the sponsor proposed to be assisted under this section, taking into account any such assessment already conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration.
(g)Federal Share of Costs.—The Government’s share of allowable project costs for a project carried out with a grant under this section shall be the Government’s share of allowable project costs specified under section 47109.
(h)Definitions.—In this section:
(1)Center for independent living.—The term “center for independent living” has the meaning given such term in section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796a).
(2)Disability advisory committee.—The term “disability advisory committee” means a body of stakeholders (including airport staff, airline representatives, and individuals with disabilities) that provide to airports and appropriate transportation authorities input from individuals with disabilities, including identifying opportunities for removing barriers, expanding accessibility features, and improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities at airports.
(3)Protection and advocacy system.—The term “protection and advocacy system” means a system established in accordance with section 143 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15043).
(i)Funding.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028, the Secretary may use up to $20,000,000 of the amounts that would otherwise be used to make grants from the discretionary fund under section 47115 for each such fiscal year to carry out this section.
(Added Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 725(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1267.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47145

§ 47146. General aviation program runway extension pilot program
(a)Establishment.—The Secretary of Transportation shall establish and carry out a pilot program to provide grants to general aviation airports to increase the usable runway length capability at such airports in order to—
(1) expand access to such airports for larger aircraft; and
(2) support the development and economic viability of such airports.
(b)Grants.—
(1)In general.—For the purpose of carrying out the pilot program established in subsection (a), the Secretary shall make grants to not more than 2 sponsors of general aviation airports per fiscal year.
(2)Use of funds.—A sponsor of a general aviation airport shall use a grant awarded under this section to plan, design, or construct a project to extend an existing primary runway by not greater than 1,000 feet in order to accommodate large turboprop or turbojet aircraft that cannot be accommodated with the existing runway length.
(3)Eligibility.—To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a sponsor of a general aviation airport shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(4)Selection.—In selecting an applicant for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize projects that demonstrate that the existing runway length at the airport is—
(A) inadequate to support the near-term operations of 1 or more business entities operating at the airport as of the date of submission of such application;
(B) a direct aircraft operational impediment to airport economic viability, job creation or retention, or local economic development; and
(C) not located within 20 miles of another National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems airport with comparable runway length.
(c)Project Justification.—A project that demonstrates the criteria described in subsection (b) shall be considered a justified cost with respect to the pilot program, notwithstanding—
(1) any benefit-cost analysis required under section 47115(d); or
(2) a project justification determination described in section 3 of chapter 3 of FAA Order 5100.38D, Airport Improvement Program Handbook (dated September 30, 2014) (or any successor document).
(d)Federal Share.—The Government’s share of allowable project costs for a project carried out with a grant under this section shall be the Government’s share of allowable project costs specified under section 47109.
(e)Report to Congress.—Not later than 5 years after the establishment of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that evaluates the pilot program, including—
(1) information regarding the level of applicant interest in grants for increasing runway length;
(2) the number of large aircraft that accessed each general aviation airport that received a grant under the pilot program in comparison to the number of such aircraft that accessed the airport prior to the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, based on data provided to the Secretary by the airport sponsor not later than 6 months before the submission date described in this subsection; and
(3) a description, provided to the Secretary by the airport sponsor not later than 6 months before the submission date described in this subsection, of the economic development opportunities supported by increasing the runway length at general aviation airports.
(f)Funding.—For each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028, the Secretary may use funds under section 47116(b)(2) to carry out this section.
(Added Pub. L. 118–63, title VII, § 726(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1269.)

CITE AS: 49 USC 47146