Sec. 318. AUDIT ON AVIATION SAFETY IN ERA OF WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY

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## SEC. 318 AUDIT ON AVIATION SAFETY IN ERA OF WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY ###

(a)In General Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the Department of Transportation shall initiate an audit of the FAA’s internal processes and procedures to communicate the position of civil aviation operators and the safety of the national airspace system to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration regarding proposed spectrum reallocations or auction decisions. ###

(b)Assessment In conducting the audit described in subsection (a), the inspector general shall assess best practices and policy recommendations for the FAA to— ####

(1)improve internal processes by which proposed spectrum reallocations or auctions are thoroughly reviewed in advance to ensure that any comments or technical concerns regarding aviation safety from civil aviation stakeholders are communicated to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration that are to be submitted to the Federal Communications Commission; ####

(2)develop internal processes and procedures to assess the effects a proposed spectrum reallocation or auction may have on the national airspace system in a timely manner to ensure safety of the national airspace system; ####

(3)improve external communication processes to better inform civil aviation stakeholders, including owners and operators of civil aircraft, on any comments or technical concerns of the FAA relating to a proposed spectrum reallocation or auction that may impact the national airspace system; and ####

(4)better communicate to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration when a proposed spectrum reallocation or auction may pose a potential risk to aviation safety. ###

(c)Stakeholder Views In conducting the audit pursuant to subsection (a), the inspector general shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including— ####

(1)air carriers operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; ####

(2)manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft components; ####

(3)wireless communication carriers; ####

(4)labor unions representing pilots; ####

(5)air traffic system safety specialists; ####

(6)other representatives of the communications industry; ####

(7)aviation safety experts; ####

(8)the National Telecommunications and Information Administration; and ####

(9)the Federal Communications Commission. ###

(d)Report Not later than 2 years after the date on which the audit is conducted pursuant to subsection (a), the inspector general shall complete and submit a report on findings and recommendations to— ####

(1)the Administrator; ####

(2)the appropriate committees of Congress; and ####

(3)the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.