The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) today applauded the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for advancing the Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act (H.R. 5315), Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act (H.R. 6270), and the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act (H.R. 3482). The bills will be sent to the House floor for consideration.
“State aviation officials are pleased to see Congress proactively providing practical assistance to local authorities and other stakeholders to prepare for the future of Aviation”, said Greg Pecoraro, President and CEO.” These two bills will help state, local, and tribal government agencies as well as many others to plan for and make use of exciting new aviation technologies, and to integrate them safely and effectively into the National Airspace System.”
The Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act, introduced by Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ-9) and Garret Graves (R-LA-6), authorizes a grant program to state, local, and tribal governments to purchase drones for infrastructure inspection purposes and to community colleges/universities to support drone education and workforce training programs. NASAO urged House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members to vote in favor of the bill at the committee’s mark up.
The Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act, introduced by Representatives Rick Larsen (D-WA-2), Garret Graves (R-LA-6), and Dina Titus (D-NV-1), authorizes a grant program to state, local, and tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, and metropolitan planning organizations to plan the infrastructure needed to facilitate AAM operations and construction for public-use vertiports. NASAO is a key supporter of this bill.
The National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act, introduced by Representative Andre Carson (D-IN-7) and the late Don Young (R-AK-At Large), establishes a national, independent forum to facilitate collaboration and cooperation between all sectors of aviation and aerospace to coordinate, promote, and support the future of aviation. The House bill is a companion to the Senate version (S.1752) introduced in May 2021 by Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). Last year, NASAO joined a coalition of aviation stakeholders to send a letter of support to show strong support for the bill.
