Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement applauding the Senate passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. Cortez Masto introduced several bipartisan provisions and cosponsored amendments to advance her Innovation State Initiative, which were included in the final version of the bill.
“The final FAA package is a victory for Nevada and will strengthen the state’s leadership in innovation and technology. I introduced multiple provisions that will increase safety and encourage the continued development of drone technology; make Nevada’s airports greener and more efficient; and improve Americans’ experience when they fly.
“I’m pleased that Nevada’s regional airports will also receive much-needed resources to improve infrastructure and facilitate access for Nevadans. The Boulder City Airport, a hub for both commerce and travelers in Southern Nevada, will become eligible for necessary safety improvement funding thanks to the Increased Aviation Safety through Contract Towers Act, which I fought to include in this bill. I commend my colleagues for working together in a bipartisan way to boost our nation’s aviation infrastructure, invest in our transportation economy, and foster the innovation that continues to make Nevada a leader in the safe and responsible use of technology.”
BACKGROUND:
Cortez Masto introduced the following bills included in the final FAA package, in addition to provisions she has supported and cosponsored:
Generating Revenue for Electric and Emission-Negligible (GREEN) Vehicles at Airports Act
- Allows the purchase and lease of zero-emission vehicles to be eligible for funding within the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
- Authorizes DOT to establish a new zero-emission airport technology program to facilitate the deployment of commercially viable zero-emission vehicles, technology, and related infrastructure at airports and to minimize the risk of deploying such vehicles.
Increased Aviation Safety through Contract Towers Act – co-sponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Michael Crapo (R-Idaho), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)
- For the first time, makes construction of a contract tower for air-traffic control at smaller airports eligible for the Small Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
Drone Safety Enhancement Act
- Authorizes $1 million annually for the “Know Before You Fly” drone public service campaign that has not previously received federal funding support.
- Requires a review of federal counter-UAS coordination efforts.
- Mandates a specific deadline for a rulemaking for legal drone activity around designated critical infrastructure, while adding railroad facilities to that consideration.
UAS Critical Infrastructure Protection Act – co-sponsored by Deb Fischer (R-Neb.)
- Mandates a specific deadline for a rulemaking for legal drone activity around designated critical infrastructure, while adding railroad facilities to that consideration.
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