House Sends FAA Reauthorization Bill to President Biden’s Desk to be Signed into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill, sending it to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. 

“Many of my constituents in the Ninth District live in communities near airports and airflight pathways. The FAA reauthorization bill will not only strengthen our air transportation system but will help mitigate the impacts of aviation noise and emissions that disproportionately fall on these communities. I am thrilled that the bill includes a modified version of my legislation, the Protecting Airport Communities from Particle Emissions Act, to help us better understand ultrafine particles and a provision to permanently protect North SeaTac Park, a beloved green space in my district,” said Rep. Adam Smith. “The federal government must do more to support aviation impacted communities, and I believe this reauthorization takes meaningful steps to enhance engagement between the FAA and residents in these communities and tackle the health, environmental, and quality of life impacts of aviation noise and emissions. I applaud the local leaders and organizations whose tireless advocacy helps advance this important work.”  

Background 

There were many important provisions for aviation impacted communities included in the FAA reauthorization bill, including: 

• Protecting North SeaTac Park: The bill includes a provision that enables North SeaTac Park in Washington's Ninth District to be permanently protected.  

• UFP Study: The bill includes a modified version of Rep. Smith's bill, the Protecting Airport Communities from Particle Emissions Act, which requires a study on ultrafine particles.  

• Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee: This bill requires the FAA to establish an Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee to advise the FAA on issues facing the aviation community that are related to aircraft noise exposure and existing FAA noise policies and regulations.  

• Community Collaboration Program: This bill requires the FAA to establish a Community Collaboration Program to harmonize policies and procedures across the agency relating to community engagement. This program will focus on engagement efforts related to air traffic procedure changes, coordinating with Regional Ombudsmen, increasing the responsiveness of the FAA’s noise complaint process, and implementing GAO recommendations related to improving outreach on noise.  

• Alternative Aviation Fuel Investments: The bill requires significant modifications and directives related to aviation technology and sustainability initiatives under the Airport Improvement Program. The described sections focus on advancing aviation technology and sustainability under the Airport Improvement Program. They involve studying the integration of electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft into national airspace, expanding research on alternative fuels, and developing coordinated strategies for new aviation fuel systems, with findings and recommendations to be reported to Congress within specified timelines.  

• Address Aviation Emissions: Multiple sections of the legislation focus on enhancing aviation technology and fuel systems to meet sustainability goals. They include directives for the DOT, FAA, and other agencies to conduct reviews and research on new and alternative aviation fuels, particularly hydrogen and electric power. The initiatives range from assessing the integration of electric aircraft into national airspace to establishing a pilot program for electric aircraft charging infrastructure at airports. Additionally, there are efforts to improve energy efficiency at airports and support future power demands through AIP funding.  

• Airport Planning and Development and Noise Compatibility Planning and Programs: The bill authorizes $4 billion from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) for the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program account for each of FY 2025 through FY 2028.  

• Increases Environmental Program Eligibility: The bill increases the number of projects eligible to be funded under the existing environmental programs set-aside while both lowering the maximum amount that can be spent under the set-aside to $200 million and raising the minimum amount, beginning in FY 2026, for that set-aside to $150 million. 

Earlier this year, Rep. Smith shared his priorities for the FAA reauthorization with the House T&I Committee. In his testimony, he pushed for policies to more effectively address the environmental, health, and quality of life concerns of aviation impacted communities. 
 
More information about Rep. Smith's testimony to the House T&I Committee can be found here.  

Rep. Smith has been a longtime advocate for aviation impacted communities. He has worked with residents and community organizations in the Ninth District to ensure that their concerns are heard, and solutions are put forward to reduce the environmental, health, and quality of life impacts of aviation noise and emissions.  

Learn more about Rep. Smith’s work on aviation noise and emissions here.  

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