Facility for Runway Operations and Safe Transportation Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BARRETT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3423) to amend title 49, United States Code, to include aircraft deicing storage facilities in the definition of airport development, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3423

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Facility for Runway Operations and Safe Transportation Act'' or the ``FROST Act''. SEC. 2. DEICING EQUIPMENT PROTECTION.

Section 47102(3)(B)(v) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``and storage facilities for the equipment and fluids''.

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Mr. BARRETT. 3423, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of H.R. 3423, the Facility for Runway Operations and Safe Transportation Act, which will allow storage facilities for aircraft deicing fluids and equipment to be acquired through the Airport Improvement Program, AIP, funds.

Under the current structure, AIP funds can be used to acquire aircraft deicing equipment, and when it comes to the storage facilities that house that very same equipment, airports are forced to utilize alternative and less reliable funding mechanisms. If you can use AIP funds to purchase the equipment, you should be able to use those same funding mechanisms to acquire the necessary facilities to house and protect the equipment.

I thank Mr. Wied for his leadership on this commonsense piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, aircraft deicing equipment is critical, as we all know, for ensuring safe aircraft operations and the ability to maintain aircraft performance during colder months and during inclement circumstances.

The Airport Improvement Program was established to fund essential airport infrastructure projects that enhance safety and mitigate issues that cold weather can bring.

H.R. 3423 is simple yet effective. It ensures storage facilities for aircraft deicing fluids and equipment can be acquired with the Airport Improvement Program funds.

I took a tour of an airport in my district not long ago, and this very issue came up as a frustration they were facing. As such, I am proud to support this commonsense piece of legislation, and I urge support of this bill.

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