Vision 100: Historical Review of the Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-176)

Publication Date: July 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Transportation

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Abstract:

The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (FAIR21 or AIR21; P.L. 106-181), which provided authorization for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and related aviation programs, expired at the end of FY2003. Congressional debate on a new reauthorization bill took place during the 1st Session of the 108th Congress leading, finally, to a new reauthorization that extends FAA programs through FY2007.

A number of issues were considered during the reauthorization debate. The condition of the airline industry, while not directly addressed in the bills under consideration, had an impact on the debate because the aviation industry's recessionary environment has constrained the trust fund revenues that support most of the FAA budget. Increasing capacity and reducing future congestion and delay, as well as proposals concerning air traffic modernization were issues. "Environmental streamlining" was also a major element of the reauthorization debate, involving proposals to expedite environmental reviews potentially affecting the completion of airport capacity capital projects. Funding security enhancements at airports without depleting the Airport and Airway Trust Fund of funds needed to support the national system's other needs was also a significant issue in the debate. Subsidizing air service to isolated communities is a perennial issue in FAA reauthorization as are other issues such as federal aid for airport noise mitigation, aviation safety, and air traffic control privatization.

On July 25, 2003, Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (H.Rept. 108-240) was reported out of conference. The conference report specified $59.2 billion over four years for FAA activities. However, a few provisions of the original conference report were considered controversial. Most notable of these was a provision that would have prevented privatization of certain air traffic control functions, but would have allowed privatization of certain airport towers. On October 28, 2003, the House recommitted the bill to the conference to address this controversy, and the following day a new conference report (H.Rept. 108-334), almost identical to the first but without the air traffic control privatization protection language, was filed. That report passed the House on October 30, 2003; passed the Senate on November 21, 2003; and was signed into law on December 12, 2003. The new law, Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Vision 100; P.L. 108176), reauthorizes FAA aviation programs for fiscal years 2004-2007. The bill also includes numerous provisions to improve aviation security.

This report will not be updated.