PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 29, 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.
People & committees
Rep. Shuster, Bud [R-PA-9] · R–PA
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 104-264.
Became Public Law No: 104-264.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 92-2. Record Vote No: 306. (consideration: CR S12239)
Senate roll call 306 · Individual votesConference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 92-2. Record Vote No: 306.(consideration: CR S12239)
Senate roll call 306 · Individual votesRuling of the Chair not sustained by Yea-Nay Vote. 39-56. Record Vote No: 305. (consideration: CR S12232)
Senate roll call 305 · Individual votesThe Conference Report was ruled out of order by the chair.
Point of order on the Conference Report to accompany the measure raised in Senate.
Cloture on the Conference Report invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 66-31. Record Vote No: 304. (consideration: CR S12228-12229)
Senate roll call 304 · Individual votesConference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S12217-12239)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S12166-12193)
Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S12095-12115)
Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S11940)
Cloture motion on the Conference Report presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S11940)
Motion to table the motion to postpone tabled by Yea-Nay Vote. 97-0. Record Vote No: 303. (consideration: CR S11937-11938)
Senate roll call 303 · Individual votesMotion by Senator Kennedy to postpone the motion to proceed to consideration of the Conference Report made in Senate.
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the Conference Report presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S11937)
Motion to proceed to the consideration of the Conference Report made in Senate. (consideration: CR S11937)
Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 198 (Roll no. 446). (consideration: CR H11466)
House roll call 446 · Individual votesMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 198 (Roll no. 446).(consideration: CR H11466)
House roll call 446 · Individual votesThe previous question was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate.
Mr. Shuster brought up conference report H. Rept. 104-848 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 540.
Rule H. Res. 540 passed House.
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 540 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to H.R. 3539. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration are waived. The conference report shall be considered as read.
Conference report H. Rept. 104-848 filed. (text of conference report: CR H11289-11318)
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 104-848 filed.(text of conference report: CR H11289-11318)
Conference papers: Senate report and managers' statement held at the desk in Senate.
Conference held.
Conference committee actions: Conference held.
The Speaker appointed additional conferees - from the Committee on Ways and Means for consideration of sec. 501 of the House bill and secs. 417, 906, and 1001 of the Senate amendment and modifications committed to conference: Archer, Crane, and Gibbons.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The Speaker appointed additional conferees - from the Committee on Science for consideration of sec. 501 of the Senate amendment and modifications committed to conference: Walker, Sensenbrenner, and Brown (CA).
The Speaker appointed additional conferees - from the Committee on Science for consideration of secs. 601-05 of the House bill and sec. 103 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Walker, Morella, and Brown (CA).
The Speaker appointed additional conferees - from the Committee on Rules for consideration of sec. 675 of the Senate bill, and modifications committed to conference: Dreier, Linder, and Beilenson.
The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for consideration of sec. 501 of the House bill and sec. 1001 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Shuster, Clinger, and Oberstar.
The Speaker appointed conferees from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for consideration of the House bill (except sec. 501) and the Senate amendment (except sec. 1001) and modifications committed to conference: Shuster, Clinger, Duncan, Oberstar, and Lipinski.
On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H10951)
Mr. Duncan asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate appointed conferees Pressler; Stevens; McCain; Hollings; Ford.
Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference. (consideration: CR S10776)
Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1994 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 99-0. Record Vote No: 293.
Senate roll call 293 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1994 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 99-0. Record Vote No: 293.
Senate roll call 293 · Individual votesSenate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S. 1994 amended.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10756, S10759)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 398 - 17 (Roll no. 411).
House roll call 411 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 398 - 17 (Roll no. 411).
House roll call 411 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10197)
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Canady objected to the Yea - Nay vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed until Sept. 11. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10124-10140)
Mr. Shuster moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 385.
Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 30, 1996.
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 29, 1996.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 714, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 714, Part I.
Committee on Rules discharged.
Committee on Rules discharged.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Aviation Prior to Introduction and Referral.
Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Aviation Prior to Introduction and Referral.
Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Aviation Prior to Introduction and Referral.
Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Aviation Prior to Introduction and Referral.
Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Aviation Prior to Introduction and Referral.
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
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Analyze H.R.3539 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.3539 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.3539 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.3539 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.