HR6427-119

What This Bill Does

The Airport Regulatory Relief Act amends title 49 airport grant rules for airfield pavement construction and improvement at nonprimary airports serving aircraft that do not exceed 60,000 pounds gross weight. If a state notifies the Transportation Secretary that nonprimary airports in the state intend to use state highway specifications, the Secretary must use those specifications for projects funded under the covered airport grant provisions, so long as the Secretary determines the specifications will not negatively affect safety.

The House-reported text adds timing rules. The Secretary must make the safety determination within six months after receiving the state's notice. If that is not enough time, the Secretary may extend the determination period by six months after notifying the state and providing justification. Additional extensions may also be authorized. The bill does not remove the safety review; it changes the default construction-specification rule for small-aircraft nonprimary airports and imposes a timeline on the federal determination.

Who Benefits and How

Nonprimary airport operators benefit because they can use state highway pavement specifications when the state gives notice and safety is not harmed. Rural communities with small airports benefit if cheaper or more familiar state specifications make pavement projects easier to complete. Airport pavement contractors benefit from using state highway standards they already know. State transportation departments benefit from a formal role in notifying the Secretary and applying state specifications. General aviation pilots benefit if small-airport pavement projects become more affordable or frequent.

Who Bears the Burden and How

FAA airport safety staff must review state notices and make safety determinations within the statutory deadline. The Transportation Secretary must notify states and justify extensions when more time is needed. State aviation offices must prepare notices and coordinate with nonprimary airports. Nonprimary airport sponsors must still satisfy federal grant and safety conditions. Federal grant managers must apply the state-specification rule while preserving safety review.

Key Provisions

• Requires use of state highway specifications for covered nonprimary airport pavement projects.
• Limits the rule to airports serving aircraft up to 60,000 pounds gross weight.
• Requires state notice that nonprimary airports intend to use state highway specifications.
• Requires a Transportation Secretary safety determination before state specifications are used.
• Requires the safety determination within six months after state notice.
• Provides six-month extensions with notice and justification to the state.
• Allows additional extensions under the amended title 49 provision.