Don’t Miss Your Flight Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3754
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-17T09:05:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Don't Miss Your Flight Act" (H.R. 3754) aims to create a new federal grant program to fund improvements in surface transportation infrastructure—such as roads, bridges, public transit, and passenger rail—that directly connect to public airports. The goal is to reduce traffic congestion, increase capacity, improve access to underserved areas, and upgrade aging infrastructure near airports.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Public airport: A publicly owned airport used for public purposes, as defined under federal transportation law (49 U.S.C. § 47102).
- Secretary: The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, who oversees the program.
- State: Includes the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories or possessions.
- Program Establishment:
- The Secretary of Transportation will administer grants for eligible projects that link to public airports and are located on or within 5 miles of the airport.
- Projects must address congestion reduction, capacity expansion, access to under-connected communities, or rehabilitation of roads, rails, transit systems (including bridges, tunnels, and vehicles).
- Eligible Entities:
- States.
- Indian Tribes.
- Local governments or public agencies that control a public airport.
- Eligible Project Types:
- Highway or bridge projects (eligible under federal highway law, 23 U.S.C.).
- Public transportation projects (eligible under federal transit law, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53).
- Passenger rail projects (eligible under federal rail law, 49 U.S.C.).
- Application Process:
- Eligible entities must submit applications to the Secretary with details as specified.
- Funding Allocation Requirements:
- At least 50% of funds must go to projects connecting to large hub airports (airports handling a high volume of passengers, as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 47102).
- At least 30% must go to projects connecting to medium hub airports (airports with moderate passenger volume, similarly defined).
- Cost-Sharing:
- The federal share follows standard highway funding rules (23 U.S.C. § 120), typically up to 80-100% depending on the location.
- Non-federal contributions can include loans or credit from the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program or fees collected from airport passengers (passenger facility charges under 49 U.S.C. § 40117).
- Funding Authorization:
- $1 billion annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, drawn from the Highway Trust Fund (excluding the Mass Transit Account).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new, dedicated grant program under the Department of Transportation, building on but separate from existing federal funding streams for highways (23 U.S.C.), transit (49 U.S.C. Chapter 53), and rail (49 U.S.C.). It adds specific priorities for airport connectivity, mandatory funding splits for hub airports, and flexible non-federal matching options (e.g., using TIFIA credits or airport fees), which were not previously combined in this way for airport-linked projects.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation gains responsibility for administering the program, including application reviews and fund distribution, potentially increasing workload but providing targeted infrastructure support. States and local agencies may see streamlined access to federal funds for airport-related projects.
- On Citizens: Travelers and residents near airports could benefit from less congestion, better public transit or rail options, and improved access to jobs or services in under-connected areas, making air travel more efficient and reducing road delays.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. airport infrastructure could indirectly support international aviation by improving ground access and efficiency at major hubs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Primary recipients of grants for planning and building projects.
- Airport Authorities and Public Agencies: Benefit from infrastructure upgrades that enhance airport operations and passenger experience.
- Transportation Users: Airlines, commuters, and freight operators who rely on efficient connections to airports.
- Federal Taxpayers: Fund the program via the Highway Trust Fund, which is supported by fuel taxes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill integrates with existing federal transportation statutes without overriding them, ensuring compliance with environmental reviews and procurement rules under titles 23 and 49 of the U.S. Code. It promotes equity by including Indian Tribes and territories as eligible entities.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; it falls under Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and spend for the general welfare (U.S. Constitution, Article I, Sections 8).
- Political: Introduced bipartisanship (by Reps. Cohen and Kustoff), the bill emphasizes infrastructure investment in aviation hubs, potentially appealing to urban and rural districts alike, but could spark debates over fund allocation priorities or competition with other transportation needs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-06-05: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Don’t Miss Your Flight Act — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (5 pages)