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S. 1139 106th Congress Senate

A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, relating to civil penalties for unruly passengers of air carriers and to provide for the protection of employees providing air safety information, and…

Official title: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, relating to civil penalties for unruly passengers of air carriers and to provide for the protection of employees … Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, relating to civil penalties for unruly passengers of air carriers and to provide for the protection of employees providing air safety information, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 30, 1999 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Administrative procedureAdministrative remediesAirline employeesAirline passenger traffic
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
AirlinesArrestAviation safetyCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liabilityCommerceContractorsCrime and Law EnforcementDamagesDepartment of LaborDisciplining of employeesDiscrimination in employmentDismissal of employeesEmployee rightsEvidence (Law)Federal law enforcement officersFines (Penalties)Flight crewsFrivolous lawsuitsGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkGovernmental investigationsGrievance proceduresInjunctionsJudicial officersJudicial review of administrative actsLabor and EmploymentLawLaw enforcement officersLegal feesLocal employeesPolice trainingState employeesSubcontractorsWage restitutionWhistle blowingWitnesses
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This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 26, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
May 26, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6068-6069)
May 26, 1999
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action May 26, 1999

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Amends Federal aviation law to subject to a civil penalty of up to $25,000 any individual who interferes with the duties or responsibilities of the flight crew or cabin crew of a civil aircraft, or who poses an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft or other individuals on the aircraft. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, in addition or as an alternative, to prohibit for not more than one year the individual from flying as a passenger on a civil aircraft. Requires the Secretary to notify all air carriers of the prohibition, including its term. Subjects to a civil penalty of up to $25,000 any air carrier which provides air transportation to an individual who has been prohibited from flying on a civil aircraft.

(Sec. 2) Establishes a whistleblower protection program for airline employees providing air safety information.

Prohibits air carriers, contractors, and subcontractors from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee as to pay, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee: (1) is about to provide or has provided to the Federal Government information relating to any violation of a Federal Aviation Administration order, regulation, or standard, or any other Federal law relating to air carrier safety; or (2) is about to file or has filed a proceeding, or testified, or otherwise participated in a proceeding relating to such violations.

Sets forth a Department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against in violation of this Act.

Specifies civil penalties for violation of this Act.

(Sec. 3) Establishes a program under which the Attorney General may deputize State and local law enforcement officers as Deputy U.S. Marshals for the limited purpose of enforcing Federal laws that regulate security on board aircraft, including laws relating to violent, abusive, or disruptive behavior by airline passengers. Provides for the training and law enforcement powers of such marshals.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1139: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, relating to civil penalties for unruly passengers of air carriers and to provide for the protection of employees providing air safety information, and for other purposes.. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1139/
MLA
"S. 1139: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, relating to civil penalties for unruly passengers of air carriers and to provide for the protection of employees providing air safety information, and for other purposes.." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1139/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1139, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1139/.
Markdown link
[S. 1139: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, relating to civil penalties for unruly passengers of air carriers and to provide for the protection of employees providing air safety information, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1139/)
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