S. 66 would direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve the federal system of “notices to air missions,” or NOTAMs, which alert pilots and other personnel to potential hazards along a route that could impede the safety of flight operations.
Under the bill, the FAA would be required to implement a new NOTAM system and a backup system by September 30, 2024. CBO expects the FAA will complete the first phase of those activities under current law in 2025. Using information from the agency, CBO estimates that it would cost $10 million over the 2023-2028 period to accelerate that effort, assuming appropriation of the estimated amounts.
The bill also would require the FAA to establish a task force of representatives from the aviation industry, labor unions, safety organizations, and others to report to the Congress on NOTAM systems and procedures and to recommend improvements. According to the FAA, that requirement is already largely being met. As a result, CBO estimates that any increase in spending subject to appropriation for that requirement would not exceed $500,000 over the 2023-2028 period.
