Aviation Funding Solvency Act

Summary#

This bill lets the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) use money from the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund if Congress does not pass FAA appropriations or a continuing resolution before the fiscal year starts. The bill says "covered amounts" (the fund balance minus $1,000,000,000) may be used to keep programs, projects, and activities running that were funded for the FAA in the previous fiscal year, including the Operations and Facilities and Equipment accounts. Spending under this rule cannot exceed the prior year's rate for operations. The temporary funding lasts until a regular appropriation or a continuing appropriation law is enacted. The funds used are subject to the same terms and conditions that applied the prior year. If funds are insufficient, the FAA Administrator must prioritize paying Air Traffic Organization employees. The bill does not apply when another law already provides funding or says funding shall not continue, or if using the fund would drop its balance below $1,000,000,000. The bill also amends 49 U.S.C. 44310 by removing a subsection, but the text here does not provide details about the practical effect of that change.

What it means for you#

  • If Congress fails to pass FAA funding on time, this bill would allow certain FAA activities to keep operating using available balances in the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund (after keeping $1,000,000,000 in the fund).
  • The bill instructs the FAA to keep spending at no more than the prior year’s rates and to prioritize paying air traffic employees if money runs short.
  • The change could affect FAA staff, airlines, and travelers if it prevents interruptions in FAA services during a funding lapse.

Expenses#

  • The bill uses the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund to pay for covered FAA programs during a lapse in appropriations.
  • "Covered amounts" are defined as the fund balance minus $1,000,000,000; the bill blocks use of the fund if doing so would reduce the balance below $1,000,000,000.
  • No publicly available information on estimated costs, budgetary impact, or how long funds would last beyond what is in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.