Sec. 625. CONTRACT TOWER PROGRAM SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS
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## SEC. 625 CONTRACT TOWER PROGRAM SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS ###
(a)Pilot Program for Transitioning to FAA Towers **[**[49 U.S.C. 47124 note](/us/usc/t49/s47124)**]** ####
(1)In general Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a pilot program to convert high-activity air traffic control towers operating under the Contract Tower Program as established under section 47124 of title 49, United States Code, (in this section referred to as the “Contract Tower Program”) to a level I (Visual Flight Rules) tower staffed by the FAA. ####
(2)Priority In selecting air traffic control towers to participate in the pilot program established under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall prioritize air traffic control towers operating under the Contract Tower Program that— #####
(A)either— ######
(i)had over 200,000 annual tower operations in calendar year 2022; or ######
(ii)served a small hub airport with more than 900,000 passenger enplanements in calendar year 2021; #####
(B)are either currently owned by the FAA or are constructed to FAA standards; and #####
(C)operate within complex airspace, including airspace that serves air carrier, general aviation, and military aircraft. ####
(3)Tower selection The number of air traffic control towers selected to participate in the pilot program established under paragraph
(1)shall be determined based on the availability of funds for the pilot program and the interest of the airport sponsor related to such facility. ####
(4)Controller retention With respect to any high-activity air traffic control tower selected to be converted under the pilot program established under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall appoint to the position of air traffic controller any air traffic controller who— #####
(A)is employed at such air traffic control tower as of the date on which the Administrator selects such tower to be converted; #####
(B)meets the qualifications contained in section 44506(f)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code; and #####
(C)has all other pre-employment qualifications required by law to be a certified controller of the FAA. ####
(5)Safety analysis #####
(A)In general The Administrator shall conduct a safety analysis to determine whether the conversion of any air traffic control tower described in paragraph
(1)negatively impacts aviation safety at such air traffic control tower and take such actions needed to address any negative impact. #####
(B)Report Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the results of the safety analysis under subparagraph (A), any actions taken to address any negative impacts to safety, and the overall results of the pilot program established under this subsection. ####
(6)Authorization of appropriations Out of amounts made available under section 106(k) of title 49, United States Code, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $30,000,000 to remain available for 5 fiscal years. ###
(b)Air Traffic Controller Staffing Levels at Small and Medium Hub Airports Section 47124(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— ####
(1)by striking “ The Secretary may ” and inserting the following: > > ##### “(A) In general > > The Secretary may” > ; and ####
(2)by adding at the end the following: > > ##### “(B) Small or medium hub airports > > In the case of a contract entered into on or after the date of enactment of this subparagraph to operate an airport traffic control tower at a small or medium hub airport, the contract shall require the Secretary, after coordination with the airport sponsor and the entity, State, or subdivision, and not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, to provide funding sufficient for the cost of wages and benefits of at least 2 air traffic controllers for each tower operating shift.” > . ###
(c)Priorities for Facility Selection Section 47124(b)(3)(C) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: > > ###### “(viii) > > Air traffic control towers at airports with safety or operational problems related to the lack of an existing tower. > > > ###### “(ix) > > Air traffic control towers at airports with projected commercial and military increases in aircraft or flight operations. > > > ###### “(x) > > Air traffic control towers at airports with a variety of aircraft operations, including a variety of commercial and military flight operations.” > .
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Sec. 625
CONTRACT TOWER PROGRAM SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS
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