[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5291 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
114th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5291
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced consumer
protection for air passengers, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 19, 2016
Mr. Thompson of California introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced consumer
protection for air passengers, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Airline Consumer
Protection Act of 2016''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. References to title 49, United States Code.
Sec. 4. Causes of airline delays or cancellations.
Sec. 5. Involuntary changes to itineraries.
Sec. 6. Additional consumer protections.
Sec. 7. Addressing the needs of families of passengers involved in
aircraft accidents.
Sec. 8. Emergency medical kits.
Sec. 9. Travelers with disabilities.
Sec. 10. Extension of Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer
Protection.
Sec. 11. Extension of competitive access reports.
Sec. 12. Refunds for delayed baggage.
Sec. 13. Refunds for other fees that are not honored by a covered air
carrier.
Sec. 14. Disclosure of fees to consumers.
Sec. 15. Seat assignments.
Sec. 16. Child seating.
Sec. 17. Consumer complaint process improvement.
Sec. 18. Online access to aviation consumer protection information.
Sec. 19. Study on in cabin wheelchair restraint systems.
Sec. 20. Training policies regarding assistance for persons with
disabilities.
Sec. 21. Advisory committee on the air travel needs of passengers with
disabilities.
Sec. 22. Report on covered air carrier change and cancellation fees.
Sec. 23. Enforcement of aviation consumer protection rules.
Sec. 24. Regulations relating to space for passengers on aircraft.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions apply:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Covered air carrier.--The term ``covered air carrier''
means an air carrier or a foreign air carrier as those terms
are defined in section 40102(a) of title 49, United States
Code.
(3) Online service.--The term ``online service'' means any
service available over the Internet, or that connects to the
Internet or a wide-area network.
(4) Ticket agent.--The term ``ticket agent'' has the
meaning given the term in section 40102(a) of title 49, United
States Code.
SEC. 3. REFERENCES TO TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to
be made to a section or other provision of title 49, United States
Code.
SEC. 4. CAUSES OF AIRLINE DELAYS OR CANCELLATIONS.
(a) Review.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall
review the categorization of delays and cancellations with
respect to air carriers that are required to report such data.
(2) Considerations.--In conducting the review under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum--
(A) whether delays and cancellations attributed by
an air carrier to weather were unavoidable due to an
operational or air traffic control issue, or due to the
air carrier's preference in determining which flights
to delay or cancel during a weather event;
(B) whether and to what extent delays and
cancellations attributed by an air carrier to weather
disproportionately impact service to smaller airports
and communities; and
(C) whether it is an unfair or deceptive practice
in violation of section 41712 of title 49, United
States Code, for an air carrier to inform a passenger
that a flight is delayed or cancelled due to weather,
without any other context or explanation for the delay
or cancellation, when the air carrier has discretion as
to which flights to delay or cancel.
(3) Advisory committee for aviation consumer protection.--
The Secretary may use the Advisory Committee for Aviation
Consumer Protection, established under section 411 of the FAA
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec.
note), to assist in conducting the review and providing
recommendations.
(b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date the review under
subsection (a) is complete, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the review under
subsection (a), including any recommendations.
(c) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section shall be construed
as affecting the decision of an air carrier to maximize its system
capacity during weather-related events to accommodate the greatest
number of passengers.
SEC. 5. INVOLUNTARY CHANGES TO ITINERARIES.
(a) Review.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall
review whether it is an unfair or deceptive practice in
violation of section 41712 of title 49, United States Code, for
an air carrier to change the itinerary of a passenger, more
than 24 hours before departure, if the new itinerary involves
additional stops or departs 3 hours earlier or later and
compensation or other more suitable air transportation is not
offered.
(2) Advisory committee for aviation consumer protection.--
The Secretary may use the Advisory Committee for Aviation
Consumer Protection, established under section 411 of the FAA
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec.
note), to assist in conducting the review and providing
recommendations.
(b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date the review under
subsection (a) is complete, the Secretary shall submit to appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the review under subsection (a),
including any recommendations.
SEC. 6. ADDITIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTIONS.
Not later than 180 days after the date that the reviews under
sections 4 and 5 of this Act are complete, the Secretary of
Transportation shall issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking
to its notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register
on May 23, 2014 (DOT-OST-2014-0056) (relating to the transparency of
airline ancillary fees and other consumer protection issues) to
consider the following:
(1) Requiring an air carrier to provide notification and
refunds or other consideration to a consumer who is impacted by
delays or cancellations when an air carrier has a choice as to
which flights to cancel or delay during a weather-related
event.
(2) Requiring an air carrier to provide notification and
refunds or other consideration to a consumer who is impacted by
involuntary changes to the consumer's itinerary.
SEC. 7. ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES OF PASSENGERS INVOLVED IN
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS.
(a) Air Carriers Holding Certificates of Public Convenience and
Necessity.--Section 41113 is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``a major'' and
inserting ``any'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``(and any other
victim of the accident)'' and inserting ``(and any
other victim of the accident, including any victim on
the ground)'';
(B) in paragraph (16), by striking ``major'' and
inserting ``any''; and
(C) in paragraph (17)(A), by striking
``significant'' and inserting ``any''; and
(3) by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:
``(e) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) `aircraft accident' means any aviation disaster,
regardless of its cause or suspected cause, for which the
National Transportation Safety Board is the lead investigative
agency; and
``(2) `passenger' has the meaning given the term in section
1136.''.
(b) Foreign Air Carriers Providing Foreign Air Transportation.--
Section 41313 is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``a major'' and
inserting ``any''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``a significant''
and inserting ``any'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``a significant''
and inserting ``any'';
(C) in paragraph (16), by striking ``major'' and
inserting ``any''; and
(D) in paragraph (17)(A), by striking
``significant'' and inserting ``any''.
(c) National Transportation Safety Board.--Section 1136(a) is
amended by striking ``aircraft accident within the United States
involving an air carrier or foreign air carrier and resulting in a
major loss of life'' and inserting ``aircraft accident involving an air
carrier or foreign air carrier, resulting in any loss of life, and for
which the National Transportation Safety Board will serve as the lead
investigative agency''.
SEC. 8. EMERGENCY MEDICAL KITS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration shall evaluate and revise, as appropriate, the
regulations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations,
regarding the emergency medical equipment requirements, including the
contents of the first-aid kit, applicable to all certificate holders
operating passenger-carrying airplanes under that part.
(b) Considerations.--The Administrator shall consider whether the
minimum contents of approved emergency medical kits, including approved
first-aid kits, include appropriate medications and equipment to meet
the emergency medical needs of children, including consideration of an
epinephrine auto-injector, as appropriate.
SEC. 9. TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) conduct a study of airport accessibility best practices
for individuals with disabilities, limited mobility, or visual
or hearing impairments; and
(2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report on the study, including the Comptroller General's
findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
(b) Contents.--The study under subsection (a) shall include
accessibility best practices beyond those recommended under the
Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.),
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), Air Carrier Access
Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 1080; Public Law 99-435), or Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), that improve
infrastructure and communications, such as with regard to wayfinding,
amenities, and passenger care.
SEC. 10. EXTENSION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AVIATION CONSUMER
PROTECTION.
(a) Termination.--Section 411(h) of the FAA Modernization and
Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is
amended by striking ``March 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30,
2017''.
(b) Financial Disclosure.--Section 411 of the FAA Modernization and
Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is
further amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
(2) by inserting before subsection (i), the following:
``(h) Conflict of Interest Disclosure.--Beginning on the date of
enactment of the Airline Consumer Protection Act of 2016, each member
of the advisory committee who is not a government employee shall
disclose, on an annual basis, any potential conflicts of interest,
including financial conflicts of interest, to the Secretary in such
form and manner as prescribed by the Secretary.''.
(c) Recommendations.--Section 411(g) of the FAA Modernization and
Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``of the first 2 calendar years beginning
after the date of enactment of this Act'' and inserting
``calendar year''; and
(2) by inserting ``and post on the Department of
Transportation Web site'' after ``Congress''.
SEC. 11. EXTENSION OF COMPETITIVE ACCESS REPORTS.
Section 47107(r)(3) is amended by striking ``April 1, 2016'' and
inserting ``October 1, 2017''.
SEC. 12. REFUNDS FOR DELAYED BAGGAGE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue final
regulations to require a covered air carrier to promptly provide an
automatic refund to a passenger in the amount of any applicable
ancillary fees paid if the covered air carrier has charged the
passenger an ancillary fee for checked baggage but the covered air
carrier fails to deliver the checked baggage to the passenger not later
than 6 hours after the arrival of a domestic flight or 12 hours after
the arrival of an international flight.
(b) Exception.--If as part of the rulemaking the Secretary makes a
determination on the record that a requirement under subsection (a) is
unfeasible and will negatively affect consumers in certain cases, the
Secretary may modify 1 or both of the deadlines in that subsection for
such cases, except that--
(1) the deadline relating to a domestic flight may not
exceed 12 hours after the arrival of the domestic flight; and
(2) the deadline relating to an international flight may
not exceed 24 hours after the arrival of the domestic flight.
SEC. 13. REFUNDS FOR OTHER FEES THAT ARE NOT HONORED BY A COVERED AIR
CARRIER.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall promulgate
regulations that require each covered air carrier to promptly provide
an automatic refund to a passenger of any ancillary fees paid for
services that the passenger does not receive, including on the
passenger's scheduled flight or, if rescheduled, a subsequent
replacement itinerary.
(b) Cancelled Flights.--As part of the rule under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall require each covered air carrier to promptly
provide an automatic refund to a passenger of any ancillary fees paid
for services that the passenger does not receive for a flight cancelled
by the passenger.
SEC. 14. DISCLOSURE OF FEES TO CONSUMERS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue final
regulations requiring--
(1) each covered air carrier to disclose to a consumer the
baggage fee, cancellation fee, change fee, ticketing fee, and
seat selection fee of that covered air carrier in a
standardized format; and
(2) notwithstanding the manner in which information
regarding the fees described in paragraph (1) is collected,
each ticket agent to disclose to a consumer such fees of a
covered air carrier in the standardized format described in
paragraph (1).
(b) Requirements.--The regulations under subsection (a) shall
require that each disclosure--
(1) if ticketing is done on an Internet Web site or other
online service--
(A) be prominently displayed to the consumer prior
to the point of purchase; and
(B) set forth the fees described in subsection
(a)(1) in clear and plain language and a font of easily
readable size; and
(2) if ticketing is done on the telephone, be expressly
stated to the consumer during the telephone call and prior to
the point of purchase.
SEC. 15. SEAT ASSIGNMENTS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 15 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall complete
such actions as may be necessary to require each covered air carrier
and ticket agent to disclose to a consumer that seat selection for
which a fee is charged is an optional service, and that if a consumer
does not pay for a seat assignment, a seat will be assigned to the
consumer from available inventory at the time the consumer checks in
for the flight or prior to departure.
(b) Requirements.--The disclosure under subsection (a) shall--
(1) if ticketing is done on an Internet Web site or other
online service, be prominently displayed to the consumer on
that Internet Web site or online service during the selection
of seating or prior to the point of purchase; and
(2) if ticketing is done on the telephone, be expressly
stated to the consumer during the telephone call and prior to
the point of purchase.
SEC. 16. CHILD SEATING.
(a) In General.--Not later than 15 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall complete
such actions as may be necessary to require each covered air carrier
and ticket agent to disclose to a consumer that if a reservation
includes a child under the age of 13 traveling with an accompanying
passenger who is age 13 or older--
(1) whether adjoining seats are available at no additional
cost at the time of purchase; and
(2) if not, what the covered air carrier's policy is for
accommodating adjoining seat requests at the time the consumer
checks in for the flight or prior to departure.
(b) Requirements.--The disclosure under subsection (a) shall--
(1) if ticketing is done on an Internet Web site or other
online service, be prominently displayed to the consumer on
that Internet Web site or online service during the selection
of seating or prior to the point of purchase; and
(2) if ticketing is done on the telephone, be expressly
stated to the consumer during the telephone call and prior to
the point of purchase.
SEC. 17. CONSUMER COMPLAINT PROCESS IMPROVEMENT.
(a) In General.--Section 42302 is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections
(c) and (d), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (a), the following:
``(b) Point of Sale.--Each air carrier, foreign air carrier, and
ticket agent shall inform each consumer of a carrier service, at the
point of sale, that the consumer can file a complaint about that
service with the carrier and with the Aviation Consumer Protection
Division of the Department of Transportation.'';
(3) by amending subsection (c), as redesignated, to read as
follows:
``(c) Internet Web Site or Other Online Service Notice.--Each air
carrier and foreign air carrier shall include on its Internet Web site,
any related mobile device application, and online service--
``(1) the hotline telephone number established under
subsection (a) or for the Aviation Consumer Protection Division
of the Department of Transportation;
``(2) an active link and the email address, telephone
number, and mailing address of the air carrier or foreign air
carrier, as applicable, for a consumer to submit a complaint to
the carrier about the quality of service;
``(3) notice that the consumer can file a complaint with
the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of
Transportation;
``(4) an active link to the Internet Web site of the
Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of
Transportation for a consumer to file a complaint; and
``(5) the active link described in paragraph (2) on the
same Internet Web site page as the active link described in
paragraph (4).''; and
(4) in subsection (d), as redesignated--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``An air carrier or foreign air carrier
providing scheduled air transportation using any
aircraft that as originally designed has a passenger
capacity of 30 or more passenger seats'' and inserting
``Each air carrier and foreign air carrier'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``air carrier''
and inserting ``carrier''; and
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``air carrier''
and inserting ``carrier''.
(b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall promulgate
regulations to implement the requirements of section 42302 of title 49,
United States Code, as amended.
SEC. 18. ONLINE ACCESS TO AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION INFORMATION.
(a) Internet Web Site.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall--
(1) complete an evaluation of the aviation consumer
protection portion of the Department of Transportation's public
Internet Web site to identify any changes to the user interface
that will improve usability, accessibility, consumer
satisfaction, and Web site performance;
(2) in completing the evaluation under paragraph (1)--
(A) consider the best practices of other Federal
agencies with effective Web sites; and
(B) consult with the Federal Web Managers Council;
(3) develop a plan, including an implementation timeline,
for--
(A) making the changes identified under paragraph
(1); and
(B) making any necessary changes to that portion of
the Web site that will enable a consumer--
(i) to access information regarding each
complaint filed with the Aviation Consumer
Protection Division of the Department of
Transportation;
(ii) to search the complaints described in
clause (i) by the name of the air carrier and
the type of complaint; and
(iii) to determine the date a complaint was
filed and the date a complaint was resolved;
and
(4) submit the evaluation and plan to the appropriate
committees of Congress.
(b) Mobile Application Software.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall--
(1) implement a program to develop application software for
wireless devices that will enable a user to access information
and perform activities related to aviation consumer protection,
such as--
(A) information regarding airline passenger
protections, including protections related to lost
baggage and baggage fees, disclosure of additional
fees, bumping, and tarmac delays; and
(B) file an aviation consumer complaint, including
a safety and security, airline service, disability and
discrimination, or privacy complaint, with the Aviation
Consumer Protection Division of the Department of
Transportation; and
(2) make the application software available to the public
at no cost.
SEC. 19. STUDY ON IN CABIN WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, in
consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall conduct a
study to determine the ways in which particular individuals with
significant disabilities who use wheelchairs, including power
wheelchairs, can be accommodated through in cabin wheelchair restraint
systems.
SEC. 20. TRAINING POLICIES REGARDING ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to Congress a report describing--
(1) each air carrier's training policy for its personnel
and contractors regarding assistance for persons with
disabilities, as required by Department of Transportation
regulations;
(2) any variations among the air carriers in the policies
described in paragraph (1);
(3) how the training policies are implemented to meet the
Department of Transportation regulations;
(4) how frequently an air carrier must train new employees
and contractors due to turnover in positions that require such
training;
(5) how frequently, in the prior 10 years, the Department
of Transportation has requested, after reviewing a training
policy, that an air carrier take corrective action; and
(6) the action taken by an air carrier under paragraph (5).
(b) Best Practices.--After the date the report is submitted under
subsection (a), the Secretary of Transportation, based on the findings
of the report, shall develop and disseminate to air carriers such best
practices as the Secretary considers necessary to improve the training
policies.
SEC. 21. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE AIR TRAVEL NEEDS OF PASSENGERS WITH
DISABILITIES.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish
an advisory committee for the air travel needs of passengers with
disabilities (referred to in this section as the ``Advisory
Committee'').
(b) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise the Secretary with
regard to the implementation of the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986
(Public Law 99-435; 100 Stat. 1080), including--
(1) assessing the disability-related access barriers
encountered by passengers with disabilities;
(2) determining the extent to which the programs and
activities of the Department of Transportation are addressing
the barriers described in paragraph (1);
(3) recommending improvements to the air travel experience
of passengers with disabilities; and
(4) such activities as the Secretary considers necessary to
carry out this section.
(c) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall be comprised
of at least 1 representative of each of the following groups:
(A) Passengers with disabilities.
(B) National disability organizations.
(C) Air carriers.
(D) Airport operators.
(E) Contractor service providers.
(2) Appointment.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
appoint each member of the Advisory Committee.
(3) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Advisory Committee shall
be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was
made.
(d) Chairperson.--The Secretary of Transportation shall designate,
from among the members appointed under subsection (c), an individual to
serve as chairperson of the Advisory Committee.
(e) Travel Expenses.--Members of the advisory committee shall serve
without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of
title 5, United States Code.
(f) Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not later than February 1 of each year,
the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Secretary of
Transportation a report on the needs of passengers with
disabilities in air travel, including--
(A) an assessment of disability-related access
barriers, both those that were evident in the preceding
year and those that will likely be an issue in the next
5 years;
(B) an evaluation of the extent to which the
Department of Transportation's programs and activities
are eliminating disability-related access barriers;
(C) a description of the Advisory Committee's
actions during the prior calendar year;
(D) a description of activities that the Advisory
Committee proposed to undertake in the succeeding
calendar year; and
(E) any recommendations for legislation,
administrative action, or other action that the
Advisory Committee considers appropriate.
(2) Report to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the
date the Secretary receives the report under subparagraph (A),
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a copy of the report,
including any additional findings or recommendations that the
Secretary considers appropriate.
(g) Termination.--The Advisory Committee shall terminate 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 22. REPORT ON COVERED AIR CARRIER CHANGE AND CANCELLATION FEES.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct a study of existing airline industry change and cancellation
fees and the current industry practice for handling changes to or
cancellation of ticketed travel on covered air carriers.
(b) Considerations.--In conducting the study, the Comptroller
General shall consider, at a minimum--
(1) whether and how each covered air carrier calculates its
change fees and cancellation fees; and
(2) the relationship between the cost of the ticket and the
date of change or cancellation as compared to the date of
travel.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the study, including the Comptroller
General's findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
SEC. 23. ENFORCEMENT OF AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION RULES.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct a study to consider and evaluate Department of Transportation
enforcement of aviation consumer protection rules.
(b) Contents.--The study under subsection (a) shall include an
evaluation of--
(1) available enforcement mechanisms;
(2) any obstacles to enforcement; and
(3) trends in Department of Transportation enforcement
actions.
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the study, including the Comptroller
General's findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
SEC. 24. REGULATIONS RELATING TO SPACE FOR PASSENGERS ON AIRCRAFT.
(a) Moratorium on Reductions to Aircraft Seat Size.--Not later than
30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator
of the Federal Aviation Administration shall prohibit any air carrier
from reducing the size, width, padding, or pitch of seats on passenger
aircraft operated by the air carrier, the amount of leg room per seat
on such aircraft, or the width of aisles on such aircraft.
(b) Regulations Relating to Space for Passengers on Aircraft.--Not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Administrator shall prescribe regulations--
(1) establishing minimum standards for space for passengers
on passenger aircraft, including the size, width, padding, and
pitch of seats, the amount of leg room per seat, and the width
of aisles on such aircraft for the safety, health, and comfort
of passengers; and
(2) requiring each air carrier to prominently display on
the Web site of the air carrier the amount of space available
for each passenger on passenger aircraft operated by the air
carrier, including the size, width, padding, and pitch of
seats, the amount of leg room per seat, and the width of aisles
on such aircraft.
(c) Consultations.--In prescribing the regulations required by
subsection (b), the Administrator shall consult with the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, passenger advocacy organizations, physicians, and ergonomic
engineers.
(d) End of Moratorium.--Subsection (a) shall cease to be effective
on the effective date of the regulations prescribed under subsection
(b).
(e) Air Carrier Defined.--In this section, the term ``air carrier''
means an air carrier (as defined in section 40102 of title 49, United
States Code) that transports passengers by aircraft as a common carrier
for compensation.
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