A bill introduced by U.S. Sens Todd Young (R-IN), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) that would incentivize more efficient construction at airports advanced through the Senate Wednesday night.
The legislation, the Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act, would expand current law to allow airports to use funds from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program to incentivize early completion of projects.
“Passage of our bipartisan Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act will give Arizona airports more tools to complete construction projects ahead of schedule,” said Sinema, chair of the Senate Aviation Safety Operations and Innovation Subcommittee. “Partnered with the historic investments in the bipartisan infrastructure law, our bill will save Arizona taxpayers money, create more jobs, and fuel faster economic growth for Arizona,”
The AIP program provides grants to public agencies and other entities for the planning, development, and execution of infrastructure projects like runways and taxiways at public-use airports. The Expedited Delivery Act would allow airports to use up to $1 million in AIP funding to incentivize early completion.
“The Lone Star State has long been an aviation hub, at the forefront of innovation. I am proud to have joined my colleagues in introducing the Airport Infrastructure Act to ensure we stay on the cutting edge of aviation technology,” Cruz said. “Texas airports, big and small, will benefit from this bill as they update aviation infrastructure, and I’m glad to have played a part in getting it done.”
The companion legislation sponsored by U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Garrett Graves (R-LA) has already passed in the House. The bill now goes on to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature.