Acpac Modernization Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5663) to modify the termination of the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5663

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 ``ACPAC Modernization Act''. SEC. 2. AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Section 411 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 42301 prec. note) is amended--

(1) in subsection (b)--

(A) in paragraph (3) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;

(B) in paragraph (4) by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

``(5) ticket agents.''; and

(2) in subsection (i) by striking ``ticket agents,''.

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Mr. TAYLOR. 5663.

Mr. Speaker, travel advisers and ticket agents serve as a critical consumer-facing component of our Nation's air transportation system. Collectively, they sell more than 780,000 airline tickets each day and were responsible for over the $99 billion in airline ticket sales last year.

Because they work directly with travelers, they understand firsthand what works well for consumers and what does not. Their perspective deserves to be included when shaping consumer protection regulations.

This bill builds on the bipartisan work of this committee during the last Congress. In the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, we reauthorized the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee, or ACPAC.

A similar provision to the ACPAC Modernization Act was included in the House-passed FAA reauthorization but was ultimately removed during conference negotiations.

This legislation simply ensures that a representative of ticket agents has a seat on the advisory committee.

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

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Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

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Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

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Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 5663 reflects a simple but important principle. Those who work directly with consumers should have a voice in the policies that affect them.

Travel advisers and ticket agents interact with travelers every day, helping families, small businesses, and communities navigate an increasingly complex aviation marketplace. Their practical, real-world experience is invaluable.

By adding a representative of ticket agents to the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee we strengthen the advisory process without expanding bureaucracy or imposing new mandates.

This is a measured, bipartisan step that builds on the work we began in the last Congress and ensures the committee benefits from a more complete range of industry and consumer perspectives.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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