Nicholas Begich (R-AK)
Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025 amends title 49 of the United States Code. It allows the Secretary to use State highway specifications for constructing and improving airfield pavement at nonprimary airports. This applies to airports serving aircraft that do not exceed 60,000 pounds gross weight. The State must notify the Secretary of its intent to use these specifications. The Secretary must also determine that these specifications will not negatively affect safety.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Directly benefits nonprimary airports which are predominantly located in rural areas.
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Beneficial for construction companies and airport operators who gain regulatory flexibility.
- Scored +3
Does this invest in rural communities?
Facilitates easier maintenance and construction of nonprimary airports, which are often located in rural areas.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this give the federal government more power?
The Secretary maintains final safety determination and approval power over state specifications.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Use of State Highway Specifications: Section 2 allows nonprimary airports serving aircraft up to 60,000 pounds to use state highway standards for pavement work. This provides an alternative to existing standards for airfield construction and improvement.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Safety Determination Delays: Section 2(B) and (C) allow the Secretary to take up to 6 months to make a safety determination and may grant additional extensions. This could delay the start of airfield pavement improvements.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Directly benefits nonprimary airports which are predominantly located in rural areas. Would business owners be better off under this? — Beneficial for construction companies and airport operators who gain regulatory flexibility. Would farmers be better off under this? — Rural airports often serve agricultural needs; improved infrastructure supports these activities. Would union members be better off under this? — Increased potential for local construction projects can create work for union laborers.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Local construction firms may find it easier to bid on airfield projects using familiar state highway standards. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Streamlines infrastructure improvements for smaller airports, potentially boosting local economic activity. Is this likely to create jobs? — Potential for increased construction activity at nonprimary airports due to regulatory flexibility.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Facilitates easier maintenance and construction of nonprimary airports, which are often located in rural areas.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Allows states to utilize their own highway specifications for airport pavement construction. Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — Improved regional airport infrastructure supports commerce. Does this give the federal government more power? — The Secretary maintains final safety determination and approval power over state specifications.
- 3/25/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3/24/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2658)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6427.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2658-2659)
- Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 3/16/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-552.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 475.
- 12/18/2025
- Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 12/5/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- 12/4/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
David TaylorRepublican · Ohio