Don't Miss Your Flight Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1966
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:54:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Don't Miss Your Flight Act" (S. 1966) aims to create a new federal grant program to fund surface transportation projects that improve connections to public airports. The goal is to reduce traffic congestion, expand capacity, enhance access to underserved areas, and rehabilitate infrastructure like roads, bridges, rail, and transit systems near airports, ultimately making travel more efficient for passengers.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program Establishment: The Secretary of Transportation will administer grants for eligible projects that directly connect to public airports (defined as airports open to the public under federal law) and are located on or within 5 miles of the airport.
- Eligible Entities: Grants can go to states (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories), Indian Tribes, or local governments, including public agencies that manage airports.
- Eligible Projects: Funding covers:
- Highway or bridge improvements (eligible under federal highway laws).
- Public transportation projects (eligible under federal transit laws).
- Passenger rail projects (eligible under federal rail laws).
These projects must address congestion, capacity, access to under-connected communities, or infrastructure rehabilitation (e.g., bridges, tunnels, or rail vehicles).
- Application Process: Eligible entities must apply to the Secretary with details as specified, such as project plans and benefits.
- Funding Allocation Requirements:
- At least 50% of funds must support projects at large hub airports (airports handling a high volume of passengers, as defined by federal aviation law).
- At least 30% must support projects at medium hub airports (airports with moderate passenger volume).
- Cost-Sharing:
- The federal share follows standard highway funding rules (typically up to 80-90% federal contribution, depending on the state).
- Non-federal contributions can include loans or credit from the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program or airport passenger facility charges (fees collected from passengers for airport improvements).
- Funding Authorization: $1 billion annually from the Highway Trust Fund (excluding the mass transit portion) for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new, dedicated grant program not previously specified in federal transportation or aviation statutes. It builds on existing frameworks (e.g., highway, transit, and rail funding under Titles 23 and 49 of the U.S. Code) by creating targeted funding for airport-connected projects. Key additions include:
- Mandatory minimum funding percentages for large and medium hub airports, which prioritize busier facilities over smaller ones.
- Expanded options for non-federal matching funds, allowing use of TIFIA credit assistance and passenger facility charges, which were not explicitly permitted for this type of combined airport-ground transport project before.
No major repeals or overhauls of existing laws; it supplements current programs without altering their core eligibility.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation will gain new administrative responsibilities for reviewing applications and disbursing funds, potentially increasing workload but also enabling better coordination between aviation and surface transport divisions.
- On Citizens: Travelers, especially at major airports, could experience less road congestion, faster access to flights, and improved public transit options, reducing delays and stress. Rural or under-connected communities near airports may gain better infrastructure, boosting local economies through easier access to jobs and services.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved U.S. airport connectivity could enhance the efficiency of international travel hubs, indirectly supporting trade and tourism.
Overall, the program could lead to $5 billion in total investments over five years, fostering multimodal transportation (combining air, road, rail, and transit) and long-term infrastructure resilience.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State and Local Governments: Primary applicants, responsible for project implementation and matching funds.
- Indian Tribes: Eligible for grants to improve airport connections on tribal lands.
- Airport Authorities and Public Agencies: Benefit from projects enhancing their facilities' accessibility.
- Travelers and Commuters: Direct users who gain from reduced congestion and better transit.
- Transportation Industries: Highway, rail, and transit operators could receive funding for upgrades.
- Federal Government: The Department of Transportation oversees the program, funded from the Highway Trust Fund, affecting broader federal budgeting for infrastructure.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill aligns with federal authority over interstate commerce and transportation under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, without raising significant constitutional challenges. It ensures compliance with environmental reviews and other federal requirements tied to existing transportation laws. The use of passenger facility charges for non-airport projects may require clarification to avoid conflicts with aviation funding rules.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (by Senators Duckworth and Blackburn) suggests broad appeal for infrastructure investment, potentially easing passage in a divided Congress. Prioritizing hub airports could spark debates over equity for smaller or rural facilities, though the remaining 20% of funds allows flexibility. Authorizing funds through 2031 provides long-term planning stability but ties into ongoing Highway Trust Fund solvency issues, which may require future congressional action to replenish. No overt political biases in the text; it focuses on practical efficiency gains.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2025-06-05: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Don't Miss Your Flight Act — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (5 pages)