Grand Rapids Reporter

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Reps. Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Scott Franklin (R-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation to bring transparency to the process by which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) selects air traffic control towers (ATCT) for replacement. The Air Traffic Control Tower Replacement Process Report Act will require the FAA to provide Congress reports on the criteria, investigation and any additional relevant considerations used in the selection process.

“West Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford International Airport is one of the fastest growing in the nation, and our air traffic controllers are in dire need of an air traffic control tower that reflects the fast-paced travel there,” said Rep. Scholten. “Our bipartisan bill would provide clarity to the tower replacement process and ensure that airports like ours know where we are in the decision-making process as we advocate for updated airport infrastructure.”

“Our dedicated air traffic controllers help millions of travelers get to and from their destinations safely and efficiently every day, yet many are forced to work in substandard conditions inside deteriorating ATCTs,” said Rep. Castor. “I’m thankful the aging control tower at Tampa International Airport, in my hometown, is set to be replaced after years of hard bipartisan work. As the FAA considers additional towers for replacement, made possible in part with investment in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we must have transparency in every step of the decision-making process to ensure this critical funding reaches facilities that need it most.”

“While I’m thrilled Tampa International Airport is finally getting the new tower it needs, matters related to public safety should never be bogged down in obscure procedures for so long before being addressed,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “I’m proud to work in a bipartisan fashion to bring transparency to the process for these necessary, and potentially lifesaving, infrastructure improvements.”

“As a general aviation pilot and retired Naval Aviator, I appreciate the critical need for fully functioning air traffic control towers,” Rep. Franklin said.  “I’m pleased to see that the tower at Tampa International will be replaced.  Full transparency in how the replacement process operates is a necessary part of this process as we address outdated facilities across the country.”

Specifically, the Air Traffic Control Tower Replacement Process Report Act will require the FAA to deliver to the Congress a report on the process used to select ATCTs for replacement, including:

• All parties involved in decision-making
• Criteria used in the selection process
• Information on investigations used in the selection process
• A timeline for the replacement of an individual ATCT facility
• Any additional information the Administrator considers relevant

Additionally, the FAA will be required to maintain public lists of all:

• ATCT facilities replaced within the previous 10-year period
• ATCT facilities currently being replaced
• ATCT facilities being considered for replacement

Original source can be found here.