Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Reauthorization of FAA Programs

Title II: Airport Development Financing

Title III: Airport Improvement Program Modifications

Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions

Title V: Metropolitan Washington Airports

Title VI: Extension of Airport and Airway Trust Fund Taxes

and Expenditure Authority

Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 - Title I: Reauthorization of FAA Programs - Amends Federal aviation law to reauthorize the Airport Improvement Program through FY 1999, with specified allocations for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Facilities and Equipment Program.

(Sec. 103) Authorizes appropriations for the FAA through FY 1999.

Title II: Airport Development Financing - Revises the apportionment of airport improvement fund amounts to sponsors of primary and cargo service airports for each fiscal year.

(Sec. 202) Revises the minimum amount of airport improvement funds that shall be credited in a fiscal year to the discretionary fund.

(Sec. 203) Increases the apportionment for airport improvement grant funds for: (1) airport noise compatibility programs; and (2) current and former military airports.

(Sec. 204) Reduces from 15 to ten at any time the number of current or former military airports that may receive airport improvement grant funds.

(Sec. 205) Establishes the Select Panel on Airport and Agency Financing to evaluate and recommend financing mechanisms to ensure adequate funding for airport capital needs and FAA capital and operating needs.

Title III: Airport Improvement Program Modifications - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to encourage: (1) airport sponsors and State and local officials to develop airport master plans and airport system plans; and (2) metropolitan planning organizations, particularly in areas with populations greater than 200,000, to establish membership positions for airport operators.

(Sec. 301) Sets forth additional requirements for the approval of airport project grant applications.

(Sec. 302) Repeals the authority of the Secretary to impose passenger facility fees for the construction, repair, or improvement of airport areas used for aircraft operation or actions to mitigate the environmental effects of any such activity necessary to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Clean Air Act, or the Federal water Pollution Control Act.

(Sec. 303) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a pilot program of up to ten projects to extend the useful life of airport runways and taxiways.

(Sec. 304) Makes it a condition for approval of a grant application for an airport development project that the airport owner or operator makes assurances that it will permit, to the maximum extent practicable, intercity buses to have access to the airport.

(Sec. 305) Eliminates as an allowable project cost for Federal reimbursement certain costs for airport development projects commenced during FY 1994 before the execution of the grant agreement. Allows such reimbursement only for costs incurred after September 30, 1996. Denies priority consideration for the use of discretionary funds for projects incurring costs before execution of the grant agreement.

(Sec. 306) Specifies additional factors for the Secretary to consider in selecting a project for a grant to preserve and enhance capacity at primary and reliever airports.

(Sec. 307) Increases from seven to ten the number of States the Secretary may designate to assume administrative responsibility for all airport grant amounts (except for amounts for use at primary airports) under the State block grant pilot program. Makes permanent the State block grant pilot program.

(Sec. 308) Authorizes an airport sponsor who intends to sell or lease the airport for a long time to a private person to apply for an exemption from the prohibition on the use of airport revenues for non-airport use. Waives the current prohibition on the imposition of passenger facility fees by any airport receiving such an exemption.

(Sec. 309) Authorizes the Secretary to make an airport noise compatibility planning grant to a State or local government that is not the owner or operator of an airport for preparation or implementation of an airport land use compatibility plan.

Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Administrator of the FAA, in carrying out various aviation programs, to purchase a housing unit that is located outside the United States if the cost of the unit is $200,000 or less.

(Sec. 403) Prohibits both the Administrator of the FAA, and any agency receiving information from the Administrator, from disclosing voluntarily provided safety or security related information in certain circumstances.

(Sec. 404) Authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to issue a supplemental type certificate for a change to an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance.

(Sec. 405) Prohibits a person holding an airport operating certificate, with specified exceptions, from expending local aviation fuel taxes or airport-generated revenues for any purpose other than the capital or operating costs of the airport, the local airport system, or other related facilities.

(Sec. 406) Authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to require by regulation that an employment investigation (including criminal history record check) be conducted for employees who will be responsible for screening airline passengers and property.

(Sec. 407) Authorizes a sponsor of a noncommercial service airport to close it without any obligation to repay airport improvement grants if it is located within three miles of a military base which has been closed or realigned.

Title V: Metropolitan Washington Airports - Metropolitan Washington Airports Amendments Act of 1996 - Amends the Metropolitan Washington Airports Act of 1986 to revise the composition of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, among other things, increasing the number of members from 11 to 15. Requires board members appointed by the President to be registered voters of States other than Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia. Revises requirements for length of term and the filling of vacancies. Declares that no more than three members of the board appointed by the President may be of the same political party. Requires nine votes (currently, seven) to approve bond issues and the annual budget.

(Sec. 505) Establishes the Federal Advisory Commission of the Airports Authority (thereby effectively replacing the Board of Review of the Airports Authority).

(Sec. 507) Revises requirements for congressional review of Airports Authority actions.

(Sec. 508) Provides for the removal of Federal Advisory Commission (previously, Board of Review) members by the Secretary of Transportation (currently, by a two-thirds vote of the board of directors).

(Sec. 511) Directs the Airports Authority to continue to enforce certain restrictions in the Metropolitan Washington Airports Regulations with respect to the use of the Dulles access highway.

(Sec. 513) Prohibits the Secretary from issuing an exemption under specified sections of title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations regarding the allocation of slots at high density airports if such exemption would adversely affect safety.

Title VI: Extension of Airport and Airway Trust Fund Taxes and Expenditure Authority - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the excise tax imposed on aviation fuel. Extends the excise tax imposed on airline passenger tickets, and the authority for the transfer of aviation fuel taxes to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, through January 1, 2000.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay from the Trust Fund into the general fund of the Treasury any overpayments made with respect to excise taxes imposed on air transportation.

(Sec. 602) Extends the expenditure authority of the Trust Fund through October 1, 1999.