Senate Voting Monday Night on Invoking Cloture on FAA Reauthorization Bill

The Senate was set to have voted Monday night on invoking cloture on the FAA Reauthorization Act (HR-302). The five-year recertification bill includes language clarifying how wireless towers should be marked to protect low-flying aircraft and several provisions aimed at unmanned aerial vehicle systems. All covered towers would, within a year of enactment, be required to be “clearly marked consistent” with FAA 2015 guidance. HR-302 would direct the Department of Transportation to issue regulations banning “an individual on an aircraft from engaging in voice communications” using a cellphone or other mobile device during flight. Flight crews, flight attendants and law enforcement officers would be exempted for duty-specific voice communications. The UAV language includes text of the Preventing Emerging Threats Act, which would allow the Department of Homeland Security and DOJ to react in real-time to stop terrorism threats and would provide clear public disclosure about no-fly areas (see 1809270055). The House passed HR-302 last week 398-23 (see 1809270050).