Bill Summary
The "Expanding Regional Airports Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing the capacity and infrastructure of underserved airports in the United States. The Act amends Title 49 of the United States Code to establish a Regional Airport Expansion Program, which will provide grants to eligible airports.
Key provisions of the Act include:
1. **Grant Program**: The Secretary of Transportation is tasked with creating a program to offer financial grants to qualifying airports to improve their passenger and flight capacity.
2. **Eligible Uses**: Funds from the grants can be used for various improvements, such as expanding screening facilities, lengthening runways, constructing hangars, enhancing passenger amenities, and meeting specific operational and security regulations.
3. **Eligibility Criteria**: To qualify for the program, an airport must be classified as a general aviation or nonprimary commercial service airport and must serve a community with a population of at least 75,000 residents.
4. **Funding Authorization**: The Act authorizes $50 million each fiscal year to support the grant program.
Overall, this legislation aims to support the growth and modernization of regional airports, ultimately improving service for communities that rely on them.
Possible Impacts
The "Expanding Regional Airports Act" could affect people in several ways:
1. **Increased Accessibility to Air Travel**: By providing grants to improve passenger and flight capacity at underserved airports, the legislation could lead to more flight options and increased frequency of services. This would make air travel more accessible for residents in regions served by these airports, potentially reducing travel time and costs for passengers.
2. **Economic Growth in Regional Areas**: The expansion and improvement of regional airports can stimulate local economies by attracting new businesses and tourism. As airports enhance their facilities and capacity, they may encourage airlines to offer more routes, which can create jobs in aviation, hospitality, and other related sectors, ultimately benefiting the community.
3. **Enhanced Safety and Security**: The legislation allows for funding to help airports comply with operational and security requirements. This could lead to improved safety measures and infrastructure, which would provide a more secure travel experience for passengers. Enhanced security screening and updated facilities can also increase public confidence in using air travel from these regional airports.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3085 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3085
To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a program to
provide assistance to underserved airports to improve passenger and
flight capacity, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 29, 2025
Mr. Vasquez (for himself and Mr. Mann) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a program to
provide assistance to underserved airports to improve passenger and
flight capacity, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Regional Airports Act''.
SEC. 2. REGIONAL AIRPORT EXPANSION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SUBCHAPTER IV--REGIONAL AIRPORT EXPANSION PROGRAM
``Sec. 41781. Grants for growing regional airports
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish
a program to provide grants to eligible airports to improve passenger
and flight capacity.
``(b) Eligible Uses.--An eligible airport may use a grant provided
under this section for--
``(1) activities that improve passenger and flight capacity
at such airport, including--
``(A) the expansion of passenger and property
screening facilities;
``(B) runway lengthening;
``(C) construction of hangars and associated
infrastructure; and
``(D) improving passenger facilities; and
``(2) costs incurred to comply with operational and
security requirements under part 139 or part 154 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations, or part 1542 of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations.
``(c) Grant Requirements.--In carrying out the program established
under this section, the Secretary shall provide not less than 3 and not
more than 10 grants to eligible airports in each fiscal year.
``(d) Eligible Airport Defined.--In this section, the term
`eligible airport' means an airport that--
``(1) is a general aviation airport or a nonprimary
commercial service airport (as determined by the Administrator
of the Federal Aviation Administration); and
``(2) serves a community with a population of at least
75,000.
``Sec. 41782. Authorization of appropriations
``There is authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year
$50,000,000 to carry out section 41781.''.
(b) Technical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 417 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 41767 the following:
``Subchapter IV--Regional Airport Expansion Program
``41781. Grants for growing regional airports.
``41782. Authorization of appropriations.''.
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