Overview

Title

To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2024 through 2028, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

H.R. 8216 is a bill that plans to give money to a group that looks after airplanes in the U.S. called the FAA, and it also wants a city in California to be free from rules about its airport if it pays back some money and gives away some airport things.

Summary AI

H.R. 8216 aims to amend U.S. law to allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to receive funding from 2024 to 2028. The bill also allows the City of Banning in California to be released from federal restrictions on its municipal airport, provided the city repays certain grant amounts and transfers airport equipment. It specifies conditions such as fair market reimbursement and unamortized federal grant repayments, alongside compliance with existing federal regulations.

Published

2024-05-01
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2024-05-01
Package ID: BILLS-118hr8216ih

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
1
Words:
537
Pages:
3
Sentences:
10

Language

Nouns: 176
Verbs: 26
Adjectives: 27
Adverbs: 1
Numbers: 31
Entities: 58

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.41
Average Sentence Length:
53.70
Token Entropy:
4.70
Readability (ARI):
29.83

AnalysisAI

Summary of the Bill

The bill titled "H. R. 8216" aims to modify title 49 of the United States Code by authorizing appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from the fiscal year 2024 through 2028. Specifically, it focuses on the Banning Municipal Airport located in Banning, California. The bill proposes to release the City of Banning from certain federal restrictions related to the use, encumbrance, conveyance, and closure of the airport, contingent upon certain financial and property transfer conditions.

Summary of Significant Issues

One of the significant issues involves potential ambiguity in how the reimbursement for federal grants, specifically from 1983, should be calculated. The bill requires the determination of fair market value by two independent real estate appraisers and an independent review appraiser, which might lead to inconsistencies or disagreements over the valuation and reimbursement amount. Furthermore, the bill suggests that no financial consideration is required for the transfer of some airport equipment to the United States, which could raise concerns about favoritism towards the City of Banning.

Impact on the Public

The bill holds potential consequences for public spending and transparency. Releasing the City of Banning from restrictions without a clear plan for how the land will be used could result in wasteful spending if the land remains unused or underdeveloped. Additionally, the complexity of legal references and conditions could lead to difficulties for the general public in understanding the implications of the bill, thus impacting overall transparency and communication about public policy.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Positive Impact:

For the City of Banning, this bill could represent a significant benefit by relieving it of federal restrictions and potentially increasing the city's flexibility in developing or utilizing the airport land. This flexibility could result in economic development opportunities or other community benefits, subject to effective utilization of the property.

Negative Impact:

Conversely, the lax conditions around the reimbursement and equipment transfer could lead to financial discrepancies or perceived unfairness. For the federal government, there is a risk of not receiving adequate compensation for prior FAA investments. Additionally, other municipalities might view this as preferential treatment, potentially sparking disputes about equity and fairness in federal dealings with local governments.

Overall, while the bill presents opportunities, it also raises concerns regarding accountability and fairness, considerations paramount when dealing with public resources and federal oversight. The success of this bill will largely depend on effective and transparent implementation, as well as fair market practices in assessing and utilizing the Banning Municipal Airport property.

Issues

  • The release of the City of Banning, California, from all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restrictions on the Banning Municipal Airport, without assurance of how the land will be used, might lead to potential wasteful spending, as the land could remain unused or underutilized after the release. (Section 1, Subsection (a))

  • The determination of the fair market value by two independent real estate appraisers and an independent review appraiser might lead to inconsistencies or disputes regarding the reimbursement amount for the 1983 grant, potentially resulting in financial discrepancies or disagreements. (Section 1, Subsection (b)(1))

  • The section mandates no consideration for the transfer of airport and aviation-related equipment to the United States, which could suggest potential favoritism towards the City of Banning, as they could be seen as relieved from financial responsibilities unfairly. (Section 1, Subsection (b)(3))

  • The complexity of the legal references and conditions in the bill might make it difficult for laypersons to fully understand, impacting transparency and public understanding of the bill’s implications. (Section 1, throughout the document)

  • The lack of clarity on how the 'highest and best use' of the Banning Municipal Airport property will be determined leaves room for ambiguity and potential undervaluation in the reimbursement process, which could lead to financial loss. (Section 1, Subsection (b)(1))

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Banning municipal airport Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The United States government is releasing the City of Banning, California, from certain restrictions on the Banning Municipal Airport, provided the city reimburses the government for previous grants and transfers airport equipment for use elsewhere. Additionally, the section maintains that existing environmental and regulatory requirements will still apply.