Peter Welch (D-VT)
A bill to provide for updates to the Federal Aviation Administration type certification process to support development of new and novel technologies, and for other purposes.
A Democratic bill with 6 Republican cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to update the Federal Aviation Administration's type certification process to better support new aviation technologies and ensure global leadership. It requires the FAA Administrator to publish a plan for improving the issue paper process and creating stable policies. The bill mandates the establishment of standard expected timelines for various certification milestones and responses. Additionally, it directs the FAA to include specific criteria for issue papers and provide updated delegation guidance. The Administrator must also consult with various stakeholders and submit annual reports to Congress regarding implementation progress.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the FAA to publish a plan, updated delegation guidance, and annual reports on the official website.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill aims to support innovation and provide predictable timelines for aviation technology developers.
- Scored +3
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill requires consultation with the certified bargaining representatives of aviation safety inspectors and technicians.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Innovation and Global Leadership: The bill seeks to support the development of new and novel technologies, including advanced air mobility, to ensure global leadership in aviation. (Section 2(a) and Section 3(a))
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Greater Predictability for Industry: By requiring the establishment of standard expected timelines for milestones and responses, the bill aims to create more predictable and routine type certification processes. (Section 2(b) and Section 4(b)(4))
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Stable Policy Creation: The bill directs the Administrator to create stable policy regarding subjects commonly addressed in issue papers, special conditions, and airworthiness criteria. (Section 2(a)(3) and Section 3(a)(3))
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Efficiency Improvements: The bill aims to improve efficiency by converting stable means of compliance issue papers into published policy or advisory circulars. (Section 3(a)(3))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exclusion of Complex Safety Issues from Timelines: The standard expected timelines established by the Administrator do not apply to complex issues that the Administrator determines present an unsafe condition. (Section 2(c))
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 business owners be better off under this? — The bill aims to support innovation and provide predictable timelines for aviation technology developers. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill requires consultation with the certified bargaining representatives of aviation safety inspectors and technicians.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the FAA to publish a plan, updated delegation guidance, and annual reports on the official website.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill creates more predictable and routine certification processes which benefits industry applicants.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill includes consultation with infrastructure providers for airports and vertiports that may serve new aviation technologies.
- 2/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Jerry MoranRepublican · Kansas
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana