House Panel Considers FAA Research and Development

A House panel will vote Friday on research and development programs destined for a larger bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration.

The House Science and Technology Committee is expected to approve its portions of the FAA bill (HR 2698) with little controversy. The provisions were approved by the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics on June 14.

The aviation research and development programs would be allocated $335 million in fiscal 2008, rising to $515 million in fiscal 2011.

The bill also contains provisions that are intended to help keep lawmakers apprised of the FAA's transition to a new air traffic control system, including one that would require the FAA to create an implementation plan and timetables for the new system.

The measure also would create new reporting responsibilities and add related personnel at the FAA, NASA and other agencies with a stake in the air traffic control system.

Small programs would be reauthorized or created for research on topics such as the impact of aviation on climate change and ways to improve the safety and efficiency of runway surfaces.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is still drafting the larger measure, which is expected to be released soon, with a markup in that panel possible next week. The current FAA authorization (PL 108-176) expires at the end of September.

The Science and Technology Committee markup is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday in 2318 Rayburn.

Source: CQ Today Round-the-clock coverage of news from Capitol Hill. ©2007 Congressional Quarterly Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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