April 30, 2024August 1, 2026

FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 3935) is a comprehensive Senate bill proposing to reauthorize and reform the Federal Aviation Administration and civil aviation programs. It covers a wide range of topics including airport planning and noise compatibility programs, FAA organizational oversight, and numerous aviation safety improvements. Of particular relevance to airport communities, the bill includes provisions addressing noise compatibility planning, airspace modernization, and safety standards that may affect operations at airports like Sea-Tac.

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This is a Senate amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3935, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, proposed by Senators Cantwell, Cruz, Duckworth, and Moran. The bill reauthorizes and improves the Federal Aviation Administration and other civil aviation programs. The table of contents covers authorizations, FAA oversight and organizational reform, and extensive aviation safety improvements.

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As the source for federal transportation grants, the Puget Sound Regional Council was charged with developing a system to meet the growing need for commercial aviation. When the search for a second airport failed, they authorized the Port of Seattle to build the Third Runway, with a mandate to develop a noise abatement and mitigation program. In their effort to stop the Third Runway, the ACC argued over every detail of the Port's efforts--including property buyouts and sound insulation. The dispute was meant to be settled by a three member Expert Arbitration Panel. This is their final report. It finds 2-1, that the Port's program was insufficient in several respects. Despite that, funding for the Third Runway was approved by the PSRC, and the 'Port Package' program, proceeded largely unchanged. Expert Arbitration Panel's final decision finding that the Port of Seattle had not shown sufficient reduction in real on-the-ground noise impacts to satisfy noise reduction conditions required for approval of a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. The majority decision concluded the Port's noise abatement programs were insufficient despite being impressive in scope.

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