Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6427) to amend title 49, United States Code, to permit the use of State highway standards for airfield pavement construction and improvement under certain circumstances, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 6427

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 ``Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. USE OF STATE HIGHWAY STANDARDS.

Section 47114(d)(4) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

``(4) Use of state highway specifications.--

``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall use the highway specifications of a State for airfield pavement construction and improvement using funds made available under this subsection or subsection (c)(1)(D) at nonprimary airports serving aircraft that do not exceed 60,000 pounds gross weight if--

``(i) such State provides notice to the Secretary that nonprimary airports in the State intend to use such highway specifications; and

``(ii) the Secretary determines that such specifications will not negatively affect safety.

``(B) Deadline.--The Secretary shall make a determination described in subparagraph (A)(ii) not later than 6 months after a State provides notice to the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(i).

``(C) Extension.--If the Secretary determines that the time provided under subparagraph (B) is insufficient to make a determination, the Secretary may extend the determination period by 6 months, so long as the Secretary--

``(i) notifies the State that provided notice pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) of the extension; and

``(ii) provides justification for the extension to such State.

``(D) Additional extensions.--The Secretary may authorize additional extensions under subparagraph (C).''.

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Mr. TAYLOR. 6427.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 6427, the Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025, is a commonsense piece of legislation that reduces the burden on States seeking to use State highway specifications for airfield projects at nonprimary airports serving smaller aircraft.

Our Nation's small and general aviation airports are vital links for rural communities, connecting them to essential services, supporting local jobs, and strengthening the national aviation system.

Under current law, States seeking to use State highway pavement standards for airfield projects must formally request approval from the Secretary of Transportation.

This legislation cuts unnecessary red tape by allowing States to notify the Secretary, rather than navigate a lengthy approval process. At the same time, the bill preserves safety by maintaining the requirement that the Secretary determine that such standards will not negatively affect aviation safety.

By streamlining the process while upholding safety, this legislation will help deliver airfield improvements faster and more efficiently to the communities that need them most.

Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Begich for his leadership on this issue. I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich), who is the author of this legislation.

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Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, nonprimary airports play a vital role in connecting rural and underserved communities like mine to essential services, sustaining local jobs, and enabling emergency response capabilities. Cutting red tape helps reduce project delays, lower construction costs, and gives communities faster access to modern, safe airfield infrastructure, allowing limited dollars to stretch further and deliver greater value to passengers and local economies.

This commonsense measure reduces the burden on smaller airports seeking to use State highway pavement standards for airfield construction projects.

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

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