[House Report 117-158]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


117th Congress    }                                     {     Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session      }                                     {     117-158

======================================================================



 
         ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY COORDINATION AND LEADERSHIP ACT

                                _______
                                

November 1, 2021.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. DeFazio, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1339]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 
was referred the bill (H.R. 1339) to require the Secretary of 
Transportation to establish an advanced air mobility 
interagency working group, and for other purposes, having 
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an 
amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose of Legislation...........................................     3
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     3
Hearings.........................................................     4
Legislative History and Consideration............................     4
Committee Votes..................................................     5
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     5
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures........................     5
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................     5
Performance Goals and Objectives.................................     7
Duplication of Federal Programs..................................     7
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff 
  Benefits.......................................................     7
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     7
Preemption Clarification.........................................     7
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     7
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     7
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................     8
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............     8

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and 
Leadership Act''.

SEC. 2. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY WORKING GROUP.

  (a) Working Group.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish 
an advanced air mobility interagency working group (in this section 
referred to as the ``working group'').
  (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the working group established under 
subsection (a) shall be to plan and coordinate efforts related to the 
safety, operations, infrastructure, physical security, cybersecurity, 
and Federal investment necessary for maturation of the AAM ecosystem in 
the United States. It is critical that Government agencies collaborate 
in order to enhance United States leadership, develop new 
transportation options, amplify economic activity and jobs, advance 
environmental sustainability and new technologies, and support 
emergency preparedness and competitiveness.
  (c) Membership.--Not later than 60 days after the establishment of 
the working group under subsection (a), the Secretary of Transportation 
shall--
          (1) appoint the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy 
        to chair the working group;
          (2) designate not less than one additional representative to 
        participate on the working group from each of--
                  (A) the Department of Transportation; and
                  (B) the Federal Aviation Administration; and
          (3) invite the heads of each of the following departments or 
        agencies to designate not less than 1 representative to 
        participate on the working group, including--
                  (A) the National Aeronautics and Space 
                Administration;
                  (B) the Department of Defense;
                  (C) the Department of Energy;
                  (D) the Department of Homeland Security;
                  (E) the Department of Commerce;
                  (F) the Federal Communications Commission; and
                  (G) such other departments or agencies as the 
                Secretary of Transportation determines appropriate.
  (d) Coordination.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation and 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
        coordinate with aviation industry and labor stakeholders, 
        stakeholder associations, and others determined appropriate by 
        the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration, including the following:
                  (A) Manufacturers of aircraft, avionics, propulsion 
                systems, and air traffic management systems.
                  (B) Intended operators of AAM aircraft.
                  (C) Commercial air carriers, commercial operators, 
                and general aviation operators, including helicopter 
                operators.
                  (D) Airports, heliports, and fixed-base operators.
                  (E) Aviation training and maintenance providers.
                  (F) Certified labor representatives of pilots, air 
                traffic control specialists employed by the Federal 
                Aviation Administration, aircraft mechanics, and 
                aviation safety inspectors.
                  (G) State, local, and Tribal officials or public 
                agencies.
                  (H) First responders.
                  (I) Groups representing environmental interests.
                  (J) Electric utilities, energy providers, energy 
                market operators, and wireless providers.
                  (K) Unmanned aircraft system operators and service 
                suppliers.
                  (L) Groups representing consumer interests.
                  (M) Groups representing the interests of taxpayers.
          (2) Advisory committees.--The Secretary of Transportation and 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may use 
        such Federal advisory committees as may be appropriate to 
        coordinate with the entities listed in paragraph (1).
  (e) Review and Examination.--Not later than 1 year after the 
establishment of the working group under subsection (a), the working 
group shall complete a review and examination of, at a minimum--
          (1) steps that will mature AAM aircraft operations, concepts, 
        and regulatory frameworks beyond initial operations;
          (2) safety requirements and physical and cybersecurity 
        involved with future air traffic management concepts which may 
        be considered as part of the evolution of AAM to higher levels 
        of traffic density;
          (3) current Federal programs and policies that may be 
        leveraged to advance the maturation of the AAM industry;
          (4) infrastructure, including aviation, multimodal, 
        cybersecurity, and utility infrastructure, necessary to 
        accommodate and support expanded operations of AAM after 
        initial implementation;
          (5) anticipated benefits associated with AAM aircraft 
        operations, including economic, environmental, emergency and 
        natural disaster response, and transportation benefits; and
          (6) other factors that may limit the full potential of the 
        AAM industry, including community acceptance of AAM operations.
  (f) Plan and Recommendations.--Based on the review and examination 
performed under subsection (e), the working group shall develop--
          (1) recommendations regarding the safety, operations, 
        security, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and other Federal 
        investment or actions necessary to support the evolution of 
        early AAM to higher levels of activity and societal benefit; 
        and
          (2) a comprehensive plan detailing the roles and 
        responsibilities of each Federal department or agency to 
        facilitate or implement the recommendations in paragraph (1).
  (g) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the completion of the 
review and examination completed under subsection (e), the working 
group shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that--
          (1) details the review and examination performed under 
        subsection (e); and
          (2) provides the plan and recommendations developed under 
        subsection (f).
  (h) Definitions.--In this Act:
          (1) Advanced air mobility; aam.--The terms ``advanced air 
        mobility'' and ``AAM'' mean a transportation system that 
        transports people and property by air between two points in the 
        United States using aircraft, including electric aircraft or 
        electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, in both 
        controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
          (2) Electric aircraft.--The term ``electric aircraft'' means 
        an aircraft with a fully electric or hybrid (fuel and electric) 
        driven propulsion system used for flight.
          (3) Fixed-base operator.--The term ``fixed-base operator'' 
        means a business granted the right by an airport sponsor or 
        heliport sponsor to operate on an airport or heliport and 
        provide aeronautical services, including fueling and charging, 
        aircraft hangaring, tiedown and parking, aircraft rental, 
        aircraft maintenance, and flight instruction.
          (4) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 47102 of title 49, United States Code.
          (5) Vertical take-off and landing.--The term ``vertical take-
        off and landing'' means an aircraft with lift/thrust units used 
        to generate powered lift and control and with two or more lift/
        thrust units used to provide lift during vertical take-off or 
        landing.

                         PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION

    The purpose of H.R. 1339, as amended, is to establish an 
advanced air mobility (AAM) interagency working group to 
evaluate, plan, and coordinate efforts to permit the safe 
operation of AAM technology in the National Airspace System 
(NAS) and to help advance U.S. leadership in the emerging AAM 
industry.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    AAM is a transportation system that transports people and 
property by air between two points using aircraft, including 
electric aircraft or electric vertical take-off and landing 
aircraft, through both controlled and uncontrolled airspace. 
AAM concepts have the potential to alleviate traffic 
congestion, shorten travel times, improve equity for 
underserved communities and regions, and reduce the demand on 
our roads and bridges in an environmentally sustainable way. 
Several federal entities, including the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (NASA), and the Department of Defense (DoD), are 
working with aerospace industry stakeholders to develop and 
deploy this nascent technology. To keep pace with progress in 
the emerging AAM sector, H.R. 1339, as amended, will provide a 
forum for federal government engagement with stakeholders to 
ensure the safe integration of these new technologies and 
operations in the NAS.
    H.R. 1339, as amended, directs the Secretary of 
Transportation to create an AAM interagency working group 
comprised of representatives from various federal agencies. The 
interagency working group is directed to coordinate with state 
and local governments, civil aviation industry leaders, labor 
unions, and other relevant stakeholders, to evaluate, plan, and 
coordinate the efforts necessary to ensure the safe operation 
of AAM technology within the NAS. The bill also requires the 
interagency working group to review the state of the AAM 
industry and develop (1) recommendations regarding safety, 
security, infrastructure needs, and other actions necessary to 
support the deployment of AAM and (2) a comprehensive plan 
detailing the roles and responsibilities of the federal 
government in implementing such recommendations.

                                HEARINGS

    For the purposes of rule XIII, clause 3(c)(6)(A) of the 
117th Congress, the following hearing was used to develop or 
consider H.R. 1339:
    On April 27, 2021, the Subcommittee on Aviation held a 
hearing titled ``The Leading Edge: Innovation in U.S. 
Aerospace.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Hon. Eric 
Garcetti, Mayor, City of Los Angeles, California, accompanied 
by Ms. Seleta J. Reynolds, General Manager, Los Angeles 
Department of Transportation, Los Angeles, California; Mr. 
James L. Grimsley, Executive Director, Advanced Technology 
Initiatives, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Mr. Adam Bry, Chief 
Executive Officer, Skydio, Inc.; Mr. Pierre Frederick Harter, 
Director, Research and Development, National Institute for 
Aviation Research, AVP Industry and Defense Programs, Research 
Operations, Wichita State University; Mr. Roei Ganzarski, Chief 
Executive Officer, magniX; and Mr. Blake Scholl, Founder and 
Chief Executive Officer, Boom Supersonic.
    This hearing examined emerging uses of U.S. airspace and 
emerging aviation technologies affecting the economy, 
transportation system, local communities, environment, and 
public good; visions for and possible barriers to deployment of 
new aerospace technologies in the United States; and the 
federal government's role in ensuring the safe integration of 
these users and technologies into the National Airspace System.

                 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND CONSIDERATION

    H.R. 1339 was introduced in the House on February 25, 2021, 
by Ms. Davids of Kansas and Mr. Graves of Louisiana and 
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 
Within the Committee, H.R. 1339 was referred to the 
Subcommittee on Aviation.
    The Subcommittee on Aviation was discharged from further 
consideration of H.R. 1339 on July 28, 2021.
    The Committee considered H.R. 1339 on July 28, 2021, and 
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a 
favorable recommendation, amended, by voice vote.
    The following amendments were offered:
    An Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute offered by Ms. 
Davids of Kansas (#1); was AGREED TO, as amended, by voice 
vote.
    An amendment to the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute 
offered by Mr. Perry (#1A); was AGREED TO by voice vote.
    Page 4, after line 13, insert the following:
    (L) Groups representing consumer interests.
    (M) Groups representing the interests of taxpayers.
    An amendment to the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute 
offered by Mr. Perry (#1B) was WITHDRAWN.
    Page 4, after line 13, insert the following:
    (L) Petroleum refineries, petroleum marketers, and 
petrochemical manufacturers.

                            COMMITTEE VOTES

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires each committee report to include the 
total number of votes cast for and against on each record vote 
on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the 
measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for 
and against.
    No record votes were requested during consideration of H.R. 
1339.

                      COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in this report.

               NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY AND TAX EXPENDITURES

    Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and 
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974 has been timely submitted prior to the filing of the 
report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is 
included in this report.

               CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

    With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has 
received the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1339, as amended, 
from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                Washington, DC, September 17, 2021.
Hon. Peter A. DeFazio,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1339, the Advanced 
Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Aaron 
Krupkin.
            Sincerely,
                                         Phillip L. Swagel,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

    	[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
    

    H.R. 1339 would require the Department of Transportation 
(DOT) to establish an interagency working group on advanced air 
mobility (AAM) consisting of representatives from at least 
eight federal agencies.\1\ The working group would evaluate the 
policies and infrastructure necessary to advance AAM 
operations, coordinate with state and local governments and the 
private sector, develop recommendations, and report to the 
Congress.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Advanced air mobility refers to the development and 
implementation of innovative aviation technologies that transport 
people and cargo, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing 
aircraft and autonomous aircraft.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    For the purposes of this estimate, CBO assumes the bill 
will be enacted by the end of calendar year 2021. Using 
information from DOT and based on the cost of similar 
activities, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1339 would 
cost $1 million over the 2022-2026 period; such spending would 
be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
    On July 26, 2021, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S. 
516, the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act, 
as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation on May 12, 2021. The two bills are 
similar, and CBO's estimates of their total costs are the same. 
The differences in the costs for 2021 reflect differences in 
the assumed enactment date at the time we transmitted the 
estimates.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aaron Krupkin. 
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy 
Director of Budget Analysis.

                    PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

    With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
performance goal and objective of this legislation is to 
establish an AAM interagency working group to evaluate, plan, 
and coordinate efforts to permit the safe operation of AAM 
technology in the NAS and to help advance U.S. leadership in 
the emerging AAM industry.

                    DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision 
of H.R. 1339, as amended, establishes or reauthorizes a program 
of the federal government known to be duplicative of another 
federal program, a program that was included in any report from 
the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to 
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a 
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance.

   CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, AND LIMITED TARIFF 
                                BENEFITS

    In compliance with clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the rule 
XXI.

                       FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act (Public Law 104-4).

                        PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

    Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint 
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the 
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, 
or tribal law. The Committee finds that H.R. 1339 does not 
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.

                      ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this 
legislation.

                  APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 
104-1).

             SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Title

    This section provides that this bill may be cited as the 
``Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act''.

Sec. 2. Advanced Air Mobility working group

    This section directs the Secretary of Transportation to 
establish an AAM interagency working group to plan and 
coordinate efforts related to the safety, infrastructure, 
physical security, cybersecurity, and federal investment 
necessary for the maturation of the AAM ecosystem in the United 
States. The working group must coordinate with various aviation 
industry, labor, and other stakeholders as the Secretary 
determines appropriate.
    This section also requires the working group to complete a 
review of, at a minimum, the steps to mature AAM aircraft 
operations and concepts beyond initial operations; safety 
requirements and security involved with future air traffic 
management concepts; current federal programs and policies; 
infrastructure needs to support expanded AAM operations; 
anticipated benefits associated with AAM operations; and other 
factors that may limit the full potential of this growing 
industry. Following this review, the working group must develop 
recommendations regarding the safety, operations, security, 
infrastructure and other actions necessary to support the 
advancement of AAM, and create a comprehensive plan on the 
roles of responsibilities of each federal department or agency 
to facilitate or implement the recommendations. No later than 
180 days after completion of the review, the working group must 
submit a report to Congress detailing its review, comprehensive 
plan, and recommendations.

         CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

    As reported by the Committee, H.R. 1339 makes no changes in 
existing law.

                                  [all]