H.R. 6427 — Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025, as amended
Executive Summary
The "Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025" (H.R. 6427) aims to streamline airfield pavement construction and improvement at smaller airports. It amends title 49, United States Code, to allow nonprimary airports serving aircraft under 60,000 pounds gross weight to utilize State highway specifications, rather than potentially more stringent federal aviation standards. This change is intended to reduce regulatory burdens and costs, provided the Secretary of Transportation determines that such state standards will not compromise safety. The bill was introduced on December 4, 2025, and reported with an amendment on January --, 2026.
Arguments For
- Reduces regulatory burden and costs for smaller, nonprimary airports, allowing them to use more familiar and potentially less expensive State highway standards for pavement projects.
- Promotes economic development in rural and underserved areas by making airport infrastructure improvements more financially feasible for local communities.
- Streamlines project approval and implementation by leveraging existing State Department of Transportation expertise and standards, potentially accelerating construction timelines.
- Enhances local control and flexibility in managing airport infrastructure, aligning federal requirements with local capabilities and needs for smaller aircraft operations.
Likely Supporters
Arguments Against
- Raises potential safety concerns if State highway standards are not sufficiently robust or tailored for the unique stresses and requirements of aviation pavement, even for lighter aircraft.
- Could lead to inconsistent airfield quality and maintenance standards across different states, potentially complicating federal oversight and future upgrades.
- The Secretary's determination process (6-month deadline with potential extensions) could still introduce bureaucratic delays, undermining the intended regulatory relief.
- May be viewed by some as a federal abdication of responsibility for maintaining uniform, high-level aviation safety standards across all airports.
Likely Opponents
📋 Key Provisions
- Amends Section 47114(d)(4) of title 49, United States Code, to permit the use of State highway specifications for airfield pavement construction and improvement.
- Applies specifically to nonprimary airports serving aircraft that do not exceed 60,000 pounds gross weight.
- Requires the State to provide notice to the Secretary of Transportation regarding the intent to use State highway specifications.
- Mandates a determination by the Secretary that the State specifications will not negatively affect safety.
- Establishes a 6-month deadline for the Secretary's determination, with provisions for 6-month extensions if justified and the State is notified.
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The bill's short title is the 'Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025'.
"This Act may be cited as the “Airport Regulatory Re-"
The bill amends Section 47114(d)(4) of title 49, United States Code.
"Section 47114(d)(4) of title 49, United States Code,"
The provisions apply to nonprimary airports serving aircraft that do not exceed 60,000 pounds gross weight.
"serving aircraft that do not exceed 60,000 pounds"
The Secretary must determine that State specifications will not negatively affect safety.
"such specifications will not negatively affect"
The Secretary has 6 months to make a determination after receiving notice from a State.
"(A)(ii) not later than 6 months after a State"